Optimal parallel processor architecture for real time multitasking background of the invention

摘要

A process for producing a parallel processor system having the minimum number of microprocessors necessary execute in real time a set of tasks of a multi-tasking application such that execution of an activity of a first task is followed by execution of an activity of a second task. The process includes the step of selecting an initial number of microprocessors for executing the application in real-time. The selecting step includes placing in a first column of a matrix all real-time constrained tasks specific to the application and associating a row of dependent tasks with each task placed in the first column of the matrix to define a plurality of task subsets, each subset incorporating a maximum number of intradependent tasks and a minimum number of interdependent tasks and the number of subsets corresponding to the initial number of microprocessors. The inventive process further includes the steps of listing dependencies between rows in a second column of the matrix, assigning a priority pi to each task where Pi is between 0 and 1, subdividing at least one of the tasks into discrete activities, each of the activities having a corresponding execution time tij, estimating the execution time for each activity, reducing the number of rows in the matrix by grouping together tasks having activities that can be executed within a predetermined time window T, and providing a number of microprocessors corresponding to the number of rows obtained from the rows reducing step.