Application programming interface with inverted memory protocol for embedded software systems

• US 6,968,438 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Russo, David A., Frankel, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COURTENAY III, ST JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/666,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,889 Days
• Field of Search: 717/124, 717/128, 717100-121, 719315-318, 719331-332, 719/328, 711170-173, 718107-108, 712/35
• US Class Current: 711/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/36 Software reuse

Abstract

A system and method is provided for enabling the reuse of algorithms in multiple application frameworks with no alterations required of the algorithm once it is developed. An inverted memory allocation mechanism enables various algorithm modules to be integrated into a single application without modifying the source code of the algorithm modules. An algorithm module is designed in a manner that renders the algorithm module reentrant within a preemptive environment. Each data access instruction of the algorithm module is coded in a manner that renders the algorithm module and all of the data access instructions relocatable. A memory interface is provided within the algorithm module that supports both design-time object instantiation and dynamic object instantiation.

Claims

1. A method for creating an algorithm module that can be used without change in a plurality of frameworks, the method comprising the steps of:

designing the algorithm module in a manner that renders the algorithm module reentrant within a preemptive environment;

coding a plurality of data access instructions of the algorithm module in a manner that renders the algorithm module and the plurality of data access instructions relocatable; and

providing a memory interface within the algorithm module that supports both design-time object instantiation and dynamic object instantiation;

wherein the dynamic object instantiation comprises memory allocation by any framework in the plurality of frameworks in response to memory usage requirements reported to the framework by the algorithm module through the memory interface; and

wherein the design-time object instantiation comprises memory initiation by any framework in the plurality of frameworks in response to memory usage requirements reported to the framework by the algorithm module through the memory interface.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

conforming to a run-time convention of a selected high level language;

characterizing in the algorithm module whether the algorithm module may or may not be placed in ROM;

prohibiting the algorithm module from direct access to a peripheral device;

packaging the algorithm module in an archive which has a name that follows a uniform naming convention;

naming an algorithm header of the algorithm module using a uniform naming convention; and

naming each external identifier, in a set of external identifiers defined by the algorithm module, according to a uniform naming convention.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing the algorithm module with an initialization function and with a finalization function.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of providing the algorithm module with a header file that is included in more than one framework in the plurality of frameworks.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing a debug variable definition in a header of the algorithm module, wherein the debug variable definition uses the symbol_—

DEBUG.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of implementing a trace interface as part of the algorithm module.

7. A method for converting an existing algorithm to an algorithm module that can be used without change in a plurality of frameworks, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a memory interface for the existing algorithm to form the algorithm module such that the algorithm module supports both design-time object instantiation and dynamic object instantiation;

wherein the dynamic object instantiation comprises memory allocation by any framework in the plurality of frameworks in response to memory usage requirements reported to the framework by the algorithm module through the memory interface; and

wherein the design-time object instantiation comprises memory initiation by any framework in the plurality of frameworks in response to memory usage requirements reported to the framework by the algorithm module through the memory interface;

revising the existing algorithm in a manner that renders the algorithm module reentrant within a preemptive environment; and

verifying that a plurality of data access instructions of the algorithm module are coded in a manner that renders the algorithm module and the plurality of data access instructions relocatable.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

characterizing in the algorithm module whether the algorithm module may or may not be placed in ROM;

prohibiting the algorithm module from direct access to a peripheral device;

packaging the algorithm module in an archive which has a name that follows a uniform naming convention;

naming an algorithm header of the algorithm module using a uniform naming convention; and

naming each external identifier, in a set of external identifiers defined by the algorithm module, according to a uniform naming convention.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of providing the algorithm module with an initialization function and with a finalization function.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing the algorithm module with a header file header file that is included in more than one framework in the plurality of frameworks.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a debug variable definition in a header of the algorithm module, wherein the debug variable definition uses the symbol_—

DEBUG.