MADES FP7 EU project: Effective high level SysML/MARTE methodology for real-time and embedded avionics systems

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MADES: A SysML/MARTE high level methodology for real-time and embedded systems

International audienceRapid evolution of real-time and embedded systems (RTES) is continuing at an increasing rate, and new method-ologies and design tools are needed to reduce design complexity while decreasing development costs and integrating aspects such as verification and validation. Model-Driven Engineering offers an interesting solution to the above mentioned challenges and is being widely used in various industrial and academic research projects. This paper presents the EU funded MADES project which aims to develop novel model-driven techniques to improve existing practices in development of RTES for avionics and surveillance embedded systems industries. MADES proposes a subset of existing UML profiles for embedded systems modeling: namely MARTE and SysML, and is developing new tools and technologies that support design, validation, simulation and eventual automatic code generation, while integrating aspects such as component re-use. In this paper, we first introduce the MADES language, which enables rapid system design and specification that can be then taken by underlying MADES tools for goals such as simulation or code generation. Finally, we illustrate the various concepts present in the MADES language by means of a car collision avoidance system case study

A Model-Driven Methodology for Critical Systems Engineering

Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) promises to enhance system development by reducing development time, and increasing productivity and quality. MDE is gaining popularity in several industry sectors, and is attractive also for critical systems where they can reduce efforts and costs for verification and validation (V&V), and can ease certification. This thesis proposes a novel model-driven life cycle that is tailored to the development of critical railway systems. It also integrates an original approach for model-driven system validation, based on a new model named Computation Independent Test model (CIT). Moreover, the process supports the Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA), with a novel approach to conduct Model-Driven FMEA, based on custom SysML Diagram, namely the FMEA Diagram, and Prolog. The approaches have been experimented in multiple real-world case studies, from railway and automative domains

Applying patterns in embedded systems design for managing quality attributes and their trade-offs

Embedded systems comprise one of the most important types of software-intensive systems, as they are pervasive and used in daily life more than any other type, e.g., in cars or in electrical appliances. When these systems operate under hard constraints, the violation of which can lead to catastrophic events, the system is classified as a critical embedded system (CES). The quality attributes related to these hard constraints are named critical quality attributes (CQAs). For example, the performance of the software for cruise-control or self-driving in a car are critical as they can potentially relate to harming human lives. Despite the growing body of knowledge on engineering CESs, there is still a lack of approaches that can support its design, while managing CQAs and their trade-offs with noncritical ones (e.g., maintainability and reusability). To address this gap, the state-of-research and practice on designing CES and managing quality trade-offs were explored, approaches to improve its design identified, and the merit of these approaches empirically investigated. When designing software, one common approach is to organize its components according to well-known structures, named design patterns. However, these patterns may be avoided in some classes of systems such as CES, as they are sometimes associated with the detriment of CQAs. In short, the findings reported in the thesis suggest that, when applicable, design patterns can promote CQAs while supporting the management of trade-offs. The thesis also reports on a phenomena, namely pattern grime, and factors that can influence the extent of the observed benefits