Reengineering Legacy Embedded Systems
Systems that require reengineering are a fact of life in both the commercial and military arenas. The authors have developed a systematic methodology based on virtual prototyping, with accompanying tools and libraries, for rapidly upgrading electronic systems.
Options for upgrading legacy avionics systems
This paper examines a comprehensive set of options for upgrading legacy avionics systems in tactical aircraft. The options have been developed as part of study involving the avionics system of a current military aircraft. Multiple options are considered ranging from minor changes to the legacy system to complete replacement of computers and communications buses with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and new software. The pros and cons of each potential solution are described and guidelines are given for choosing the appropriate solution for a given program. The results of this study may be used when evaluating upgrade options for a wide range of embedded computer applications.
VHDL modeling for signal processor development
This paper presents modeling approaches and experiences in the use of the VHSIC hardware description language (VHDL) for the development of application-specific signal processors. Within our work on the ARPA/Tri-Service RASSP program we have developed and used VHDL modeling techniques for modeling the performance of signal processor systems and for the detailed design of signal processor systems. These approaches have been applied to modeling a large infra-red search and track system from a functional model, through performance modeling, through a full functional model, down to a detailed hardware implementation model.