A pattern-supported parallelization approach

Abstract

In the embedded systems domain a trend towards multiand many-core processors is evident. For the exploitation of these additional processing elements parallel software is inevitable. The pattern-supported parallelization approach, which is introduced here, eases the transition from sequential to parallel software. It is a novel model-based approach with clear methodology and the use of parallel design patterns as known building blocks.First the Activity and Pattern Diagram is created revealing the maximum degree of parallelism expressed by parallel design patterns. Second the degree of parallelism is reduced to the optimal level providing best performance by agglomeration of activities and patterns. By this, trade-offs are respected that are caused by the target platform, e.g. the computation-communication-ratio.As implementation for the parallel design patterns a library with algorithmic skeletons can be used. This leverages development effort and simplifies the transition from sequential to parallel code effectively.

A Parallelization Approach for Hard Real-Time Systems and Its Application on Two Industrial Programs

“…Our parallelization approach is an extension of a pattern-supported parallelization approach for embedded real-time systems [27,28], which was developed in the parMERASA project [56]. We describe how it works and apply it on the two industrial applications.…”

“…Inspired by above mentioned approaches, Jahr et al introduced a new approach for the embedded systems domain targeting multi-core processors and respecting timing constraints [27,28]. To our knowledge, it is the only one focussing on embedded realtime systems.…”

“…There, three other industrial hard real-time applications were parallelized by applying the original pattern-supported parallelization approach by Jahr et al [27,28]. These applications are a 3D path planning algorithm and an algorithm for stereo navigation from the avionics domain and a diesel engine motor injection algorithm from the automotive domain.…”

“…We enhance the model-based pattern-supported parallelization approach, which was introduced by Jahr et al [28]. Its applicability for embedded hard real-time systems is discussed in [27].…”

“…In the original approach [27,28] there are only the phases I and II, but we added a Phase III, because of the platform specific implementation, which is further supported by timing-analyzable algorithmic skeletons and code generation. Additionally, refinement is added to iteratively improve the results.…”