Embedded Systems

The Embedded Systems core competency includes embedded hardware and software research focusing on wide ranging areas such as RTOS optimizations, VLSI efficient computer arithmetic, algorithm to architecture translations of compute intensive algorithms, and rapid prototyping of embedded systems. The research and development in embedded systems focuses on the basic research aspect as well as the applied engineering aspect. Thus, we have groups focusing on research in embedded systems design methodologies, reconfigurable computing, instruction set customization, and computer arithmetic architectures, as examples of basic research. On the other hand, this core competency also includes research and development in applied engineering areas such as T-Engine based proof of concept prototyping, designs based on softcore processors such as the Altera NIOS, ASIC design flows for integrated circuit designs, and operating systems kernel ports to various embedded processors.

Focus Groups:

Algorithms to Architecture
This focus group is involved in the translation of compute intensive algorithms to efficient VLSI architectures which helps overcome the complexities to result in a area and power optimal design whilst meeting the performance requirements.

Participating Centres: CHiPES
Focus Group Lead: Prof. Thambipillai Srikanthan

Computer Arithmetic
This focus group concentrates on novel VLSI efficient architectures for arithmetic operations and also performs research in alternative numbers systems, such as residue number systems.

Participating Centres: CHiPES
Focus Group Lead: Asst Prof. Chang Chip Hong

Design Methodologies
The design methodologies focus group concentrates on creating development paradigms which help embedded systems designers meet the increasingly stringent constraints yet conflicting constraints which are the norm of this industry. These constraints include functional constraints such as power budgets and performance requirements. The increasingly important set of non-functional constraints includes time to market (TTM), and non recurring engineering (NRE) costs. The aim of this focus group is to develop methodologies which help alleviate these concerns by accommodating them in the design and development cycle.

Participating Centres: CHiPES
Focus Group Lead: Prof. Thambipillai Srikanthan

Embedded Software
The embedded software focus group supports the research and development activities in the areas of embedded firmware and software development, RTOS customization and optimizations, ubiquitous computing with the T-Engine, and other industry relevant developments in rapid prototyping, as well as supporting the confluence in hardware-software co-design related research.

Participating Centres: CHiPES
Focus Group Lead: Prof. Thambipillai Srikanthan

System Integration
The system integration focus group is an essential component in making the embedded systems research core competency complete as it focuses on the integration, validation and verification of embedded systems which combines a number of technologies, such as embedded software, embedded firmware, embedded processors, reconfigurable processors and real time operating systems, all in one design.

Participating Centres: CICS, RRC, CIM
Focus Group Lead: Asst Prof. Chang Chip Hong

Reconfigurable Computing
The reconfigurable computing focus group concentrates on cutting edge research in static and dynamic configurable systems involving the use of FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays). Research and development includes the use of reconfigurable technologies at run-time to increase the utilization of silicon area and provide optimal use of on-chip resources to reduce power requirements and support increased functionality per gate. This research group also investigates the use of soft-core processors on FPGAs in embedded systems design.

Participating Centres: CHiPES, IntelliSys
Focus Group Lead: Assoc Prof. Douglas Maskell