Energy-Aware Real-Time Scheduling in Embedded Multiprocessor Systems

N owadays, computer systems are everywhere. From simple portable devices such as watches and MP3 players to large stationary installations that control nuclear power plants, computer systems are now present in all aspects of our modern and every-day life. In about only 70 years, they have completely perturbed our way of life and they reached a so high degree of sophistication that they will be soon capable of driving our cars and cleaning our houses without any human intervention. As computer systems gain in responsibilities, it becomes essential that they provide both safety and reliability. Indeed, a failure in systems such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS) in cars could threaten human lives and generate catastrophic and irreversible consequences. Hence, for many years, researchers have addressed these emerging problems of system safety and reliability which come along with this fulgurant evolution. This chapter provides a general overview of embedded real-time computer systems, i.e., a particular kind of computer system whose number grows daily. We provide the reader with some preliminary knowledge and a good understanding of the concepts that underlie this emerging technology. We focus especially on the theoretical problems related to the real-time issue and briefly summarize the main solutions, together with their advantages and drawbacks. This brings the reader through all the conceptual layers constituting a computer system, from the software level—the logical part—that specifies both the system behavior and requirements to the hardware level—the physical part—that actually performs the expected treatments and reacts to the environment. In the meanwhile, we introduce the theoretical models that allow researchers for theoretical analyses which ensure that all the system requirements are fulfilled. Finally, we address the energy consumption problem in embedded systems. We describe the various factors of power dissipation in modern technologies and we introduce different solutions to reduce this consumption.