Web-Enabled Framework for Real-Time Scheduler Simulator: A Teaching Tool

Abstract

Problem statement: A Real-Time System (RTS) is one which controls an environment by receiving data, processing it, and returning the results quickly enough to affect the functioning of the environment at that time. The main objective of this research was to develop an architectural model for the simulation of real time tasks to implement in distributed environment through web, and to make comparison between various scheduling algorithms. The proposed model can be used for preprogrammed scheduling policies for uniprocessor systems. This model provided user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI). Approach: Though a lot of scheduling algorithms have been developed, just a few of them are available to be implemented in real-time applications. In order to use, test and evaluate a scheduling policy it must be integrated into an operating system, which is a complex task. Simulation is another alternative to evaluate a scheduling policy. Unfortunately, just a few real-time scheduling simulators have been developed to date and most of them require the use of a specific simulation language. Results: Task ID, deadline, priority, period, computation time and phase are the input task attributes to the scheduler simulator and chronograph imitating the real-time execution of the input task set and computational statistics of the schedule are the output. Conclusion: The Web-enabled framework proposed in this study gave the developer to evaluate the schedulability of the real time application. Numerous benefits were quoted in support of the Web-based deployment. The proposed framework can be used as an invaluable teaching tool. Further, the GUI of the framework will allow for easy comparison of the framework of existing scheduling policies and also simulate the behavior and verify the suitability of custom defined schedulers for real-time applications.