Modeling and Analysis of Multi-Core Processor Determinism for Real-Time Systems: Challenges and Solutions
Vladimir-Alexandru Paun, Bruno Monsuez, Philippe Baufreton
Journal of Information Organization, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6025/jio/2025/15/3/113-126
Link: https://www.dline.info/jio/fulltext/v15n3/jiov15n3_1.pdf
Abstract:
This paper discusses challenges in modeling and analyzing timing behavior in multi-core processors,
particularly focusing on shared resources like caches and buses. It highlights how inter-thread interference
and timing anomaliesâ€”such as cache misses on one core causing hits on anotherâ€”complicate Worst-Case
Execution Time (WCET) estimation. The document explores methods to address these issues, including code
transformations and compile-time techniques to mitigate timing unpredictability. It also emphasizes the
importance of accurate processor modeling for real-time systems and addresses limitations in existing
documentation regarding verification purposes. Additionally, the paper touches upon timing anomalies in
superscalar processors and proposes solutions involving binary modification and instruction injection to achieve
deterministic execution behavior. Overall, it stresses the complexity of ensuring timing predictability in multicore
architectures for real-time applications.