A constraint-based solution for on-line testing of processors embedded in real-time applications

ABSTRACT

Software-based self-test has been proposed as a low-cost strategy for on-line periodic testing of embedded processors. In this paper, we show that structural test programs composed only by regular deterministic self-test routines may be unfeasible in a real-time embedded platform. Hence, we propose a method to consciously select a set of test routines from different test approaches to compose a test program for an embedded processor. The proposed method not only ensures the periodical execution of the test, but also considers the optimization of memory and real-time requirements of the application, which are important constraints in embedded systems. Experimental results for a Java processor running real-time tasks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

REFERENCES

• 1: Ken Batcher , Christos Papachristou, Instruction Randomization Self Test For Processor Cores, Proceedings of the 1999 17TH IEEE VLSI Test Symposium, p.34, April 26-30, 1999
• 2: Becker, L. B., Wehrmeister, M., Carro, L., Wagner, F. R., and Pereira, C. E. Assessing the Impact of Traditional Real-Time Scheduling Algorithms on Top of Embedded Applications. In Proceedings of the 28th IFAC/IFIP Workshop on Real-Time Programming (WRTP'04) (Istanbul, Turkey, Sep. 6-8, 2004).
• 3: Chen, L., and Dey, S. Software-Based Self-Testing Methodology for Processor Cores. IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, 20, 3 (Mar. 2001), 369--380.
• 4: Sérgio Akira Ito , Luigi Carro , Ricardo Pezzuol Jacobi, Making Java Work for Microcontroller Applications, IEEE Design & Test, v.18 n.5, p.100-110, September 2001 [doi>10.1109/54.953277]
• 5: Kranitis, N., Xenoulis, G., Paschalis, A., Gizopoulos, D., and Zorian, Y. Application and Analysis of RT-Level Software-Based Self-testing for Embedded Processor Cores. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Test Conference (ITC'03) (Charlotte, USA, Sep./Oct. 28-3, 2003). IEEE Computer Society, 2003, 431--440.
• 6: C. L. Liu , James W. Layland, Scheduling Algorithms for Multiprogramming in a Hard-Real-Time Environment, Journal of the ACM (JACM), v.20 n.1, p.46-61, Jan. 1973 [doi>10.1145/321738.321743]
• 7: Paschalis, A., and Gizopoulos, D. Effective Software-Based Self-Test Strategies for On-Line Periodic Testing of Embedded Processors. IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, 24, 1 (Jan. 2005), 88--99.
• 8: A. Paschalis , D. Gizopoulos , N. Kranitis , M. Psarakis , Y. Zorian, Deterministic software-based self-testing of embedded processor cores, Proceedings of the conference on Design, automation and test in Europe, p.92-96, March 2001, Munich, Germany
• 9: Jian Shen , Jacob A. Abraham, Native mode functional test generation for processors with applications to self test and design validation, Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE International Test Conference, p.990-999, October 18-22, 1998
• 10: Wehrmeister, M. A., Becker, L. B., and Pereira, C. E. Optimizing Real-Time Embedded Systems Development Using a RTSJ-based API. In Proceedings of the 2nd Workshop on Java Technologies for Real-Time and Embedded Systems (Larnaca, Cyprus, Oct. 25-29) Springer LNCS, 2004.
• 11: Nelson H. Weiderman , Nick I. Kamenoff, Hartstone Uniprocessor Benchmark: definitions and experiments for real-time systems, Real-Time Systems, v.4 n.4, p.353-382, Dec. 1992 [doi>10.1007/BF00355299]
• 12: Xenoulis, G., Gizopoulos, D., Kranitis, N., and Paschalis, A. Low-Cost, On-Line Software-Based Self-Testing of Embedded Processor Cores. In Proceedings of the 9th IEEE International On-Line Testing Symposium (IOLTS'03) (Kos Island, Greece, July 7-9, 2003). IEEE Computer Society, 2003, 149--154.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.8 Performance and Reliability
      B.8.1 Reliability, Testing, and Fault-Tolerance

General Terms:
Design, Performance, Reliability

Keywords:
embedded processors, on-line testing, real-time systems, software-based self-test, test space exploration