Hierarchical partitions in cyclic closed systems - A hardware-oriented approach
F. Rosemberg, Smil Ruhman · Journal of Guidance Control and Dynamics · 1989
The problem of developing real-time embedded computing systems is addressed, and a simpler hierarchically partitioned layered model is suggested. It is recommended for use in the specification of system requirements and for implementation in hardware as well as software. In addition to the theoretical importance of formally defining a class of systems which encompasses industrial control applications as well as avionics, the model has the practical advantage of significantly reducing the effort required to develop specific systems. The configuration considered is a multicomputer common bus. The concept starts from the idea that communication between tasks is prescribed by programs in a high-level language such as Ada or CSP. Results obtained to date in elaborating protocols and conceiving a bus interface architecture are generalized and a five-layer partition is suggested. Each layer is described, then information exchange between layers is formalized. Finally, it is indicated what part of the solution is worth implementing by a dedicated integrated circuit. This work combines two domains not usually studied in conjunction: high-level languages for distributed computing and common-bus communications. This joint consideration leads to more efficient designs, simpler, more elegant, and easier to understand.