Dynamic Memory Management For Embedded Systems

This book provides a systematic and unified methodology, including basic principles and reusable processes, for dynamic memory management (DMM) in embedded systems. The authors describe in detail how to design and optimize the use of dynamic memory in modern, multimedia and network applications, targeting the latest generation of portable embedded systems, such as smartphones. Coverage includes a variety of design and optimization topics in electronic design automation of DMM, from high-level software optimization to microarchitecture-level hardware support. The authors describe the design of multi-layer dynamic data structures for the final memory hierarchy layers of the target portable embedded systems and how to create a low-fragmentation, cost-efficient, dynamic memory management subsystem out of configurable components for the particular memory allocation and de-allocation patterns for each type of application. The design methodology described in this book is based on propagating constraints among design decisions from multiple abstraction levels (both hardware and software) and customizing DMM according to application-specific data access and storage behaviors.

Embedded systems are everywhere in contemporary life and are supposed to make our lives more comfortable. In industry, embedded systems are used to manage and control complex systems (e.g. nuclear power plants, telecommunications and flight control) and they are also taking an important place in our daily activities (e.g. smartphones, security alarms and traffic lights). In the design of embedded systems, memory allocation and data assignment are among the main challenges that electronic designers have to face. In fact, they impact heavily on the main cost metrics (power consumption, performance and area) in electronic devices. Thus designers of embedded systems have to pay careful attention in order to minimize memory requirements, thus improving memory throughput and limiting the power consumption by the system’s memory. Electronic designers attempt to minimize memory requirements with the aim of lowering the overall system costs. A state of the art of optimization techniques for memory management and data assignment is presented in this book.

This book defines and explores the problem of placing the instances of dynamic data types on the components of the heterogeneous memory organization of an embedded system, with the final goal of reducing energy consumption and improving performance. It is one of the first to cover the problem of placement for dynamic data objects on embedded systems with heterogeneous memory architectures, presenting a complete methodology that can be easily adapted to real cases and work flows. The authors discuss how to improve system performance and energy consumption simultaneously. Discusses the problem of placement for dynamic data objects on embedded systems with heterogeneous memory architectures; Presents a complete methodology that can be adapted easily to real cases and work flows; Offers hints on how to improve system performance and energy consumption simultaneously.

Energy-Aware Memory Management for Embedded Multimedia Systems: A Computer-Aided Design Approach presents recent computer-aided design (CAD) ideas that address memory management tasks, particularly the optimization of energy consumption in the memory subsystem. It explains how to efficiently implement CAD solutions, including theoretical methods an

'... a very good balance between the theory and practice of real-time embedded system designs.' —Jun-ichiro itojun Hagino, Ph.D., Research Laboratory, Internet Initiative Japan Inc., IETF IPv6 Operations Working Group (v6ops) co-chair 'A cl

From Model-Driven Design to Resource Management for Distributed Embedded Systems presents 16 original contributions and 12 invited papers presented at the Working Conference on Distributed and Parallel Embedded Systems - DIPES 2006, sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing - IFIP. Coverage includes model-driven design, testing and evolution of embedded systems, timing analysis and predictability, scheduling, allocation, communication and resource management in distributed real-time systems.

Embedded Systems: A Contemporary Design Tool, Second Edition Embedded systems are one of the foundational elements of today’s evolving and growing computer technology. From operating our cars, managing our smart phones, cleaning our homes, or cooking our meals, the special computers we call embedded systems are quietly and unobtrusively making our lives easier, safer, and more connected. While working in increasingly challenging environments, embedded systems give us the ability to put increasing amounts of capability into ever-smaller and more powerful devices. Embedded Systems: A Contemporary Design Tool, Second Edition introduces you to the theoretical hardware and software foundations of these systems and expands into the areas of signal integrity, system security, low power, and hardware-software co-design. The text builds upon earlier material to show you how to apply reliable, robust solutions to a wide range of applications operating in today’s often challenging environments. Taking the user’s problem and needs as your starting point, you will explore each of the key theoretical and practical issues to consider when designing an application in today’s world. Author James Peckol walks you through the formal hardware and software development process covering: Breaking the problem down into major functional blocks; Planning the digital and software architecture of the system; Utilizing the hardware and software co-design process; Designing the physical world interface to external analog and digital signals; Addressing security issues as an integral part of the design process; Managing signal integrity problems and reducing power demands in contemporary systems; Debugging and testing throughout the design and development cycle; Improving performance. Stressing the importance of security, safety, and reliability in the design and development of embedded systems and providing a balanced treatment of both the hardware and the software aspects, Embedded Systems: A Contemporary Design Tool, Second Edition gives you the tools for creating embedded designs that solve contemporary real-world challenges.