N132-099 TITLE: Automatic Analysis of Legacy Software for Implementation within a Multi-thread, Multi-core Processor System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 281

OBJECTIVE: Design and develop a software tool that automatically analyzes legacy software patterns and sequences and identifies segments of the code in which execution can be made more efficient through newer technological approaches such as multi-thread, multi-core systems.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, there is a significant amount of legacy code that was designed based on older processor legacy hardware. Current legacy code is difficult to reuse since it was primarily written and implemented in a single thread single core processor environment. These software tools and capabilities are unable to take advantage of new functionality like multi-core hardware and multi-threading software and other advanced trends in processor architecture. Several legacy systems based on the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) architecture written in C, C++, and VB6 are currently being maintained and are being considered for upgrade. These systems can be made available for development, evaluation and test purposes.

A software tool capable of facilitating the upgrade of existing software to exploit the benefits of newer processor technologies like multi-core, multi-threading functionality to improve throughput and timeliness of software intensive tasks is desired. This tool should provide an automatic recording of the output to help facilitate improved implementations, applying various innovative mathematical techniques, such as the ability to analyze and transform a centralized software system and allow it to operate with a series of parallel and simultaneous processes. Initial tool development should be directed toward the MS Visual Studio COM architecture for Phase I. However, the tool should be designed for ease of use and integration with other software languages.

Successful development of this tool will save programming time in upgrading existing legacy code and minimize developing of new software to replace legacy systems.

PHASE I: Design, develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a tool capable of analyzing legacy software and automatically identifying segments of code where performance efficiencies are possible.

PHASE II: Further refine and develop a prototype for a specific software language and demonstrate its effectiveness on legacy code, identifying sections of that legacy code that are apt for specific and concrete enhancements/improvements. Prototype evaluation and testing will be conducted using legacy code from existing programs.

PHASE III: Finalize tool development and implement where needed. Transition fully operational software tool to appropriate users.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Any business with legacy code that needs optimized and innovated software to exploit multi-core, multi-threaded operating system functionality would benefit from this product.

REFERENCES:
1. Scali�s Open Blog TM, (2012). Multi-core and multi-threading performance (the multi-core myth?). http://scalibq.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/multi-core-and-multi-threading/

2. Kissel K. (2007). Demystifying multithreading and multi-core. EETimes Design (09/26/2007). http://www.eetimes.com/design/automotive-design/4004762/Demystifying-multithreading-and-multi-core

3. Chen, J., Watson III, W. & Mao, W. (2007). Multi-Threading Performance on Commodity Multi-core Processors. http://www.nikipdf.com/readonline/multi-threading-performance-on-commodity-multi-core-processors.html

KEYWORDS: Legacy Code, Multi-Thread, Multi-Core, Analysis, Software Optimization, Throughput

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between April 24 through May 24, 2013, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting May 24, 2013, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the DoD's SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (13.2 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 13.1 topic under which they are proposing.

If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.