Compiler-Driven, Dynamic Memory Allocation Methodology for Scratch Pad-Based Embedded Systems

Abstract

A highly predictable, low overhead and yet dynamic, memory allocation methodology for embedded systems with scratch-pad memory is presented. The dynamic memory allocation methodology for global and stack data (i) accounts for changing program requirements at runtime; (ii) has no software-caching tags; (iii) requires no run-time checks; (iv) has extremely low overheads; and (v) yields 100% predictable memory access times. The methodology provides that for data that is about to be accessed frequently is copied into the SRAM using compiler-inserted code at fixed and infrequent points in the program. Earlier data is evicted if necessary.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Description

PTO

Inventor(s)

Rajeev Barua, Sumesh Udayakumaran

Date Issued

04/29/2008

Patent No.

7,367,024