Scientific publications

In this paper we will extend the input-to-state stability (ISS) framework to continuous-time discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS) adopting non-smooth ISS Lyapunov functions. The main motivation for investigating non-smooth ISS Lyapunov functions is the success of “multiple Lyapunov functions” in the stability analysis of hybrid systems.

The software design is one of the most challenging tasks during the design of a mechatronic system. On one hand, it has to provide solutions to deal with concurrency and timeliness issues of the system. On the other hand, it has to glue different disciplines (such as software, control and mechanical) of the system as a whole.

The complexity of designing hardware/software systems motivates research on frameworks that structure and automate the design process. Such design methodologies reduce the risk of expensive design–implementation iterations by assisting designers in constructing models. Software/Hardware Engineering (SHE) is a general-purpose system-level design methodology that supports analysing both functional correctness and performance properties.

Performance is a key system level property. Performance, too, is affected by the myriad of decisions and choices in the development and configuration of both hardware and software components. This tutorial focuses on measuring and modeling system performance. We will discuss computer hardware architectures and execution architectures, the sofware design concepts for the dynamic behavior of the system.

Packet switched networks are widely used for interconnecting distributed computing platforms. RapidIO (Rapid Input/Output) is an industry standard for packet switched networks to interconnect multiple processor boards. Key performance metrics for these platforms include average-case and worst-case packet transfer latencies.

The design of new embedded systems is getting more and more complex as more functionality is integrated into these systems. To deal with the design complexity, a predictable design flow is needed. The result should be a system that guarantees that an application can perform its own tasks within strict timing deadlines, independent of other applications running on the system.

Complex systems design faces the lack of seamless integration of model-based methods and techniques. In this paper we propose a framework that enables designers and architects to track the design decisions throughout the design process. It provides a mechanism to deduce the impact of each design decision on the system under design.

Scratchpad memories (SPMs) have become a promising on-chip storage solution for embedded systems from an energy, performance and predictability perspective. The thermal behavior of these types of memories has not been considered in detail. This thermal behavior plays an important role in the reliability of silicon devices and in their static (leakage) power consumption.