Legacy Software Migration based on Timing Contract aware Real-Time Execution Environments

• DIRECTORS: Wolfgang Nebel, Kim Grüttner and Mikel Azkatare-askatsua
• UNIVERSITY: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Abstract

The fast evolution of embedded systems market is generating interest on improved embedded microprocessor technologies. As a consequence, the obsolescence period for the underlying hardware is being shortened. As this happens, software designed for those platforms, that might be functionally correct and validated code, may be lost in the architecture and peripheral change. As embedded systems usually have real-time computing constraints, the legacy code retargeting issue directly affects real-time systems. When it comes to legacy code migration, binary translation appears to be a standard approach. However, when dealing with real-time legacy code, not just the functional behaviour, but also the timing behaviour has to be preserved. In the direction to solve this problem, the overall goal of this research line is to enhance the latest low-overhead machine-adaptable binary translation tool with the ability to preserve the timing behaviour on the translated binary. Through a feasibility study, a static binary translation tool is selected, which is latter enhanced with a timing enforcement mechanism that at the same time provides means for validating the enforced timing behaviour on the new platform using formal timing specification in the form of contracts.