IP3 Interactive Presentations

Analog-Mixed Signal (AMS) circuits have become increasingly important for today's SoCs. The Timed Data Flow (TDF) model of computation available in SystemC-AMS offers here a good tradeoff between accuracy and simulation-speed at the system-level. One of the main challenges in system-level verification is the quality of the testbench. In this paper, we present a testbench qualification approach for SystemC-AMS TDF models. Our contribution is twofold: First, we propose specific mutation models for the class of filters implemented as TDF models. This requires to analyze the Laplace transfer function of the filter design. Second, we present the mutation based qualification approach based on the proposed specific mutations as well as standard behavioral mutations. This allows to find serious quality issues in the testbench. Our experimental results for a real-world AMS system demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of our approach. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi) IP3-2 AN ALGEBRA FOR MODELING CONTINUOUS TIME SYSTEMS Speaker: José Medeiros, University of Brasilia, BR Authors: José E. G. de Medeiros1, George Ungureanu2 and Ingo Sander2 1University of Brasília, BR; 2KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE Abstract Advancements on analog integrated design have led to new possibilities for complex systems combining both continuous and discrete time modules on a signal processing chain. However, this also increases the complexity any design flow needs to address in order to describe a synergy between the two domains, as the interactions between them should be better understood. We believe that a common language for describing continuous and discrete time computations is beneficial for such a goal and a step towards it is to gain insight and describe more fundamental building blocks. In this work we present an algebra based on the General Purpose Analog Computer, a theoretical model of computation recently updated as a continuous time equivalent of the Turing Machine. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi)Advancements on analog integrated design have led to new possibilities for complex systems combining both continuous and discrete time modules on a signal processing chain. However, this also increases the complexity any design flow needs to address in order to describe a synergy between the two domains, as the interactions between them should be better understood. We believe that a common language for describing continuous and discrete time computations is beneficial for such a goal and a step towards it is to gain insight and describe more fundamental building blocks. In this work we present an algebra based on the General Purpose Analog Computer, a theoretical model of computation recently updated as a continuous time equivalent of the Turing Machine. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi) IP3-3 TTW: A TIME-TRIGGERED WIRELESS DESIGN FOR CPS Speaker: Romain Jacob, ETH Zurich, CH Authors: Romain Jacob1, Licong Zhang2, Marco Zimmerling3, Jan Beutel1, Samarjit Chakraborty2 and Lothar Thiele1 1ETH Zurich, CH; 2Technical University of Munich, DE; 3Technische Universität Dresden, DE Abstract Wired fieldbuses have long been proven effective in supporting Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). However, various domains are now striving for wireless solutions due to ease of deployment or novel functionality requiring the ability to support mobile devices. Low-power wireless protocols have been proposed in response to this need, but requirements of a large class of CPS applications can still not be satisfied. We thus propose Time-Triggered Wireless (TTW), a distributed low-power wireless system design that minimizes communication energy consumption and offers end-to-end timing predictability, runtime adaptability, reliability, and low latency. Evaluation shows a 2x reduction in communication latency and 33-40% lower radio-on time compared with DRP, the closest related work, validating the suitability of TTW for new exciting wireless CPS applications. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi)Wired fieldbuses have long been proven effective in supporting Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). However, various domains are now striving for wireless solutions due to ease of deployment or novel functionality requiring the ability to support mobile devices. Low-power wireless protocols have been proposed in response to this need, but requirements of a large class of CPS applications can still not be satisfied. We thus propose Time-Triggered Wireless (TTW), a distributed low-power wireless system design that minimizes communication energy consumption and offers end-to-end timing predictability, runtime adaptability, reliability, and low latency. Evaluation shows a 2x reduction in communication latency and 33-40% lower radio-on time compared with DRP, the closest related work, validating the suitability of TTW for new exciting wireless CPS applications. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi) IP3-4 PHYLAX: SNAPSHOT-BASED PROFILING OF REAL-TIME EMBEDDED DEVICES VIA JTAG INTERFACE Speaker: Eduardo Chielle, New York University Abu Dhabi, BR Authors: Charalambos Konstantinou1, Eduardo Chielle2 and Michail Maniatakos2 1New York University, US; 2New York University Abu Dhabi, AE Abstract Real-time embedded systems play a significant role in the functionality of critical infrastructure. Legacy microprocessor-based embedded systems, however, have not been developed with security in mind. Applying traditional security mechanisms in such systems is challenging due to computing constraints and/or real-time requirements. Their typical 2030 year lifespan further exacerbates the problem. In this work, we propose PHYLAX, a plug-and-play solution to detect intrusions in already installed embedded devices. PHYLAX is an external monitoring tool which does not require code instrumentation. Also, our tool adapts and prioritizes intrusion detection based on the requirements of the underlying infrastructure (power grid, chemical factory, etc.) as well as the computing capabilities of the target embedded system (CPU model, memory size, etc.). PHYLAX can be employed on any legacy device which incorporates a JTAG interface. As a case study, we present the inclusion of PHYLAX on a power grid recloser controller. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi)Real-time embedded systems play a significant role in the functionality of critical infrastructure. Legacy microprocessor-based embedded systems, however, have not been developed with security in mind. Applying traditional security mechanisms in such systems is challenging due to computing constraints and/or real-time requirements. Their typical 2030 year lifespan further exacerbates the problem. In this work, we propose PHYLAX, a plug-and-play solution to detect intrusions in already installed embedded devices. PHYLAX is an external monitoring tool which does not require code instrumentation. Also, our tool adapts and prioritizes intrusion detection based on the requirements of the underlying infrastructure (power grid, chemical factory, etc.) as well as the computing capabilities of the target embedded system (CPU model, memory size, etc.). PHYLAX can be employed on any legacy device which incorporates a JTAG interface. As a case study, we present the inclusion of PHYLAX on a power grid recloser controller. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi) IP3-5 CHARACTERIZING DISPLAY QOS BASED ON FRAME DROPPING FOR POWER MANAGEMENT OF INTERACTIVE APPLICATIONS ON SMARTPHONES Speaker: Chung-Ta King, National Tsing Hua University, TW Authors: Kuan-Ting Ho1, Chung-Ta King1, Bhaskar Das1 and Yung-Ju Chang2 1National Tsing Hua University, TW; 2National Chiao Tung University, TW Abstract User-centric power management in smartphones aims to conserve power without affecting user's perceived quality of experience. Most existing works focus on periodically updated applications such as games and video players and use a fixed frame rate, measured in frame per second (FPS), as the metric to quantify the display quality of service (QoS). The idea is to adjust the CPU/GPU frequency just enough to maintain the frame rate at a user satisfactory level. However, when applied to aperiodically-updated interactive applications, e.g. Facebook or Instagram, that draw the frame buffer at a varying rate in response to user inputs, such a power management strategy becomes too conservative. Based on real user experiments, we observe that users can tolerate a certain percentage of frame drops when running aperiodically updated applications without affecting their perceived display quality. Hence, we introduce a new metric to characterize display quality of service, called the frame drawn ratio (FDR), and propose a new CPU/GPU frequency governor based on the FDR metric. The experiments by real users show that the proposed governor can conserve 17.2% power in average when compared to the default governor, while maintaining the same or even better QoE rating. Download Paper (PDF; Only available from the DATE venue WiFi)User-centric power management in smartphones aims to conserve power without affecting user's perceived quality of experience. Most existing works focus on periodically updated applications such as games and video players and use a fixed frame rate, measured in frame per second (FPS), as the metric to quantify the display quality of service (QoS). The idea is to adjust the CPU/GPU frequency just enough to maintain the frame rate at a user satisfactory level. However, when applied to aperiodically-updated interactive applications, e.g. Facebook or Instagram, that draw the frame buffer at a varying rate in response to user inputs, such a power management strategy becomes too conservative. Based on real user experiments, we observe that users can tolerate a certain percentage of frame drops when running