Integration of networked subsystems in a resource constrained environment

When developing embedded systems, there is currently a trend to move from a traditional federated approach, where computer systems are developed for their own dedicated hardware architecture, to an integrated approach, where computer systems are encapsulated as subsystems and later integrated on a shared hardware architecture. The task of integrating subsystems is complex, and in resource constrained systems efficient techniques and methods are required. In this paper the issue of subsystem integration is thoroughly discussed, and it is shown how to use Server-CAN, a network scheduler for the controller area network, in the context of subsystem integration. As the network is a resource shared by all subsystems in a distributed architecture, its role in the integration process is particularly important. Here, the usage of an efficient and flexible network scheduler is essential.