A design methodology for application-specific real-time interfaces

The complexity of embedded systems has increased rapidly during the last years. Several design approaches, including system-level design as well as IP-based design, have improved the design process. The rising number of instantiated components implicates a set of complex interfaces. High-speed data transmission rates, fault tolerance and predictability are key challenges for interface design. Thus high sophisticated interfaces have to be generated with respect to the different applications. In this paper we present a design methodology for application-specific real-time interfaces. The high-level design specification is done in a UML-based formalism. An interface-block (IFB) is derived from this specification. The IFB handles data sequencing and protocol generation. Both parts are controlled hierarchically. Within the IFB all application specific restrictions, channel features, and target platform characteristics are taken into account. Our approach is illustrated by a case study implementing a real-time communication between two interacting robots.