NMI Embedded Systems Innovation Network

Multi-Core/Multi-Processor Systems : 25th June 2009

Multi-core is one of those words that has attracted noise and hype. Even what it means varies according to whomever is selling to you. But there is room for sensible reasoned discussion and information, and the NMI Embedded Systems Network event on Multi-Core/Multi-Processor systems provided this, within a context that saw multi-core as a special case of multi-processor.

The main focus, inevitably, was on software, both developing and testing and with no claims of silver bullets. Developing software for multiple processors will have challenges, including how to partition the activities and how to overcome, if possible, the limitations of Amdahl's law. (A multi-processor execution will only be as short as the longest sequential section.)

Debugging software will have many more challenges, although these will vary according to the relationships between the processors. A heterogeneous collection of different process architectures, for example in a set top box, will have different debugging requirements to a shared memory multi-core chip. (Shared memory is not the only game for multi-core chips - Freescale's QorIQ uses a switching fabric for inter-core communication.)

The feeling I came away with is that there is still a long way to go before the implementation and debugging tools are as good as those available today for single processor implementations, but the work is going forward that will help to develop appropriate tools.

Dick Selwood

Dick Selwood is a freelance writer, who works for electronics publications in the US and UK. He was responsible for Inmos PR when, 25 years ago, the company launched the transputer - the first chip designed for parallel processing.

 

Note : presentations and the attendee list from this event are now available in the members' area

---

The Embedded Systems Conference is being held in Farnborough on 6th-8th October. In partnership with the organisers Techinsights, NMI are looking to run a panel session on multi-core in embedded and mobile devices. Drop me a note if you are interested in participating.

 

Elsevier in Oxford are looking for contributors to future Multi-core and Multiprocessor (and related embedded systems) book projects.

 

Perforce in Wokingham are seeking panellists for a podcast discussion on current themes in embedded software development - opinions and discussions around the current market conditions, contrasting development methods and the role of configuration management in embedded development.

Contributors will have an opportunity to name-check their company (if they wish) and Perforce will promote the the fact that the contributors are members of the NMI throughout the recording. The target audience for the podcast includes Perforce customers and prospects, seasoned developers, development managers and those with an interst in the specific market of each episode. http://www.perforce.com/podcast

 

If you would like more details on any of the above, please contact me.

 

Robin Kennedy

Network Manager