Modular Tool Architecture for Worst-Case Execution Time Analysis

Our society is today extremely dependent on§computers. Not only PCs and§laptops, but also the myriad of computers embedded in§everyday things§around us, such as vehicles, aircrafts, toys, and§telephones. For many§of these computers their correctness depends not only§on the results§of their computations, but also on the time at which§the results are§produced. Failure to produce a result within given§timing boundaries§may cause substantial economic losses, or even§endanger human§life. A worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis§derives an upper§estimate on the worst possible execution time of a§computer§program. Reliable WCET estimates are a foundation§when it must be proven§that an embedded system always will behave correctly,§even in the most§stressful situations. This book contains the§dissertation of Dr§Andreas Ermedahl, a renowned researcher and WCET§analysis expert. It§presents a WCET tool architecture applicable to a§wide spectrum of§embedded computers and programs, together with§suitable algorithms and§data structures. The book should be of interest for§anyone involved in§embedded system development who wants a deeper§understanding of the timing§analysis process.