M. Bergqvist, J. Engblom, M. Patel, and L. Lundegård (Sweden)
Industry Experience, Simulation Technology, Embedded Software, Heterogeneous Cluster Simulator, Integration & Verification, Cluster Platform Software Design.
This paper presents lessons learned when developing and implementing a simulator for Ericsson’s Connectivity Packet Platform, the basis for most Ericsson 3G systems. CPP is a heterogeneous cluster with more than 20 types of processor boards with 1-5 MLOC of code running on each board, and several processors per board. The simulator, called the CPP Emulator (CPPemu), has been used mainly for embedded software development. CPPemu runs the unmodified software from the real CPP. Thus, CPPemu can replace a real CPP node. Designing and implementing CPPemu was a major undertaking, which required a simulation engine with high performance supporting roughly the same scalability as the platform itself. Multiple hosts are to simulate large con figurations and several improvements to simulation technology were necessary to obtain a useable simulator. The project lead-time was approximately one year and CPPemu is now being deployed to testing and verification departments as well as application development projects. CPPemu has brought several benefits and spin-offs. Concurrent software behavior in the cluster is much easier to study and understand. The simulator has been used to support development of new boards, reducing time to market. There has also been a reduction in test system hardware costs.
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