Systems and methods for performing real-time processing using multiple processors

Abstract

Systems and methods for increasing utilization of processors in a multiprocessor system by defining a strict real-time schedule and a pseudo-real-time schedule and dynamically switching between the strict real-time schedule and the pseudo-real-time schedule for execution of tasks on the processors. In one embodiment, a number of occupied entries in an output buffer is monitored. When the number meets or exceeds a first threshold, the pseudo-real-time schedule is implemented. When the number is less than or equal to a second threshold, the strict real-time schedule is implemented. In one embodiment, the pseudo-real-time schedule is determined using an asymptotic estimation algorithm, in which the schedules for multiple processors are merged and then load-balanced (potentially multiple times) to produce a schedule that uses less processing resources than the strict real-time schedule.