A proposed real-time ADA test

Abstract

System developers use a variety of benchmarks to evaluate the performance of a new system, as well as mature the hardware and software. A computer system, in this context, includes the processing hardware as well as the Ada Run Time System. The integration of these elements is incremental and the system matures as software applications of different types run an the computer. Therefore, a wide spectrum of components must comprise a test suite. Many of the classic benchmarks are of the "toy" variety, which means that: they are unrealistic in several ways. This may be a lack of Input/Output (I/O), absence of interrupts during execution, small program size that does not break cache memory, or other factors. These benchmarks are important starting points, but a designer must not rely on such test to fully characterize and debug a new design. The proposed test is a more realistic program that addresses these issues. It is a "single board" version of system tests previously reported. The presentation updates its status as a proposed System Performance Evaluation Corporation candidate, and provides some candidate results.<>