A RapiDaemon is an application designed to create contention in a predictable and controlled manner on a specific shared resource in a multicore system. The effect of this contention can then be measured to identify interference channels and impacts on execution times.

Rapita have developed and optimized a set of standard RapiDaemons that target shared resources common to most multicore architectures, such as main memory. Some projects will require the creation of custom RapiDaemons for a specific architecture.

Before timing analysis can begin, it is essential to confirm that existing RapiDaemons operate as intended on a specific board. If they do not, it may be necessary to customize them to make them behave as they are designed to (a similar intention to a target integration, where we get the instrumented application software running on a specific target).

'Porting’ and ‘configuration’ of RapiDaemons are roughly equivalent terms in this context. For RapiDaemons to work as intended, they need to go through a configuration phase where their internal parameters are tuned as required. They’re then tested to ensure compatibility with the platform in question.

Each type of RapiDaemon may be implemented for a different instruction-set architecture and platform. While the main logic behind their behavior remains the same, they must be ported to execute correctly on each new platform.

Yes. We develop and test RapiDaemons against appropriate requirements, e.g. RapiDaemon M should access resource R when run N times.

We can analyze almost all hardware architectures. Our engineers work with you to determine the optimal strategy for integrating our RVS tools with your target, including hardware characterization and design considerations to best fit the hardware you're using.

To work with an architecture that is new to us, we first identify which metrics we can collect from the hardware, then adapt RapiDaemons for the architecture and implement a strategy to collect data from it.

For a list of multicore architectures, RTOSs, boards and middleware we've worked with, see our compatibility page.

RapiDaemons are delivered as object files that are compatible with your multicore platform. To configure these for use on your platform, these need to be linked together with your software’s object files. After this initial work, RapiDaemons can be automatically initialized using RapiTest and RapiTime.

When we deliver RapiDaemons, we include documentation describing how to configure and initialize them.

After linking RapiDaemons object files with your software (see “How do I use RapiDaemons?”), RapiDaemons are typically initialized through either RapiTest or RapiTime, which automate the initialization, making it easy to use RapiDaemons. You can, however, use RapiDaemons without using RVS tools.

Some of the multicore systems that we’ve worked with are listed in our FAQ “Which hardware architectures can you analyze?”. Standard RapiDaemons are available for many of the systems that we’ve analyzed. For more information, contact us.

We deliver RapiDaemons themselves as binary applications that are ported for compatibility with your multicore system. We also include documentation describing the purpose of each RapiDaemon in the library and how to use them. We recommend that you engage our multicore services to analyze your system and design interference channel testing, which uses RapiDaemons. We can equip you with the tools and tests to continue from there, or you can continue using our services to do it for you.

We include support and maintenance for RapiDaemons, giving you access to our support team and to new RapiDaemons that we develop.

Certification packages are available for RapiDaemons, including validation evidence for your use of RapiDaemons in projects complying with safety standards such as DO-178C.

RapiDaemons are licensed for a number of calendar years.

There are 3 licensing options for RapiDaemons, which suit projects using fewer or more multicore environments. For this purpose, a multicore environment includes the board, the CPU, and any external devices and configuration options being used, with any change to any of these yielding a new unique environment for licensing purposes.

Single use licenses give you access to RapiDaemons for a single multicore environment or project.

Re-useable licenses give you access to RapiDaemons for up to 3 multicore environments or projects.

Product line licenses give you access to RapiDaemons for up to 10 multicore environments or projects.