The Ptolemy Project studies modeling, simulation, and design of concurrent, real-time, embedded systems. The focus is on assembly of concurrent components. The key underlying principle in the project is the use of well-defined models of computation that govern the interaction between components. A major problem area being addressed is the use of heterogeneous mixtures of models of computation. Current research thrusts include:

• Precision-timed (PRET) machines: This effort reintroduces timing into the core abstractions of computing, beginning with instruction set architectures, using configurable hardware as an experimental platform.
• Real-time software: Models of computation with time and concurrency, metaprogramming techniques, code generation and optimization, domain-specific languages, schedulability analysis, programming of sensor networks.
• Distributed computing: Models of computation based on distributed discrete events, backtracking techniques, lifecycle management, unreliable networks, modeling of sensor networks.
• Understandable concurrency: This effort focuses on models of concurrency in software that are more understandable and analyzable than the prevailing abstractions based on threads.
• Systems of systems: This effort focuses on modeling and design of large scale systems, those that include networking, database, grid computing, and information subsystems.
• Abstract semantics: Domain polymorphism, behavioral type systems, meta-modeling of semantics, comparative models of computation.
• Hybrid systems: Blended continuous and discrete dynamics, models of time, operational semantics, language design.

The membership in the ptolemy workgroup is available only to active developers of Ptolemy software. Most of our support effort occurs through the ptolemy-hackers mailing list, see the .Ptolemy II FAQ for details.

Public Pages