AutoMoDe – A Transformation Based Approach for the Model-based Design of Embedded Automotive Software

International audienceThe AutoMoDe approach manages the complexity of embedded automotive systems by employing a stream-based development paradigm which is specifically tailored to embedded automotive real-time systems. In this paper the tailoring process is explained by transforming a traction control system from a stream-based model to an embedded real-time software model and afterwards integrating the software model on an embedded automotive rapid development hardware

A Formal Approach based on Fuzzy Logic for the Specification of Component-Based Interactive Systems

Formal methods are widely recognized as a powerful engineering method for the specification, simulation, development, and verification of distributed interactive systems. However, most formal methods rely on a two-valued logic, and are therefore limited to the axioms of that logic: a specification is valid or invalid, component behavior is realizable or not, safety properties hold or are violated, systems are available or unavailable. Especially when the problem domain entails uncertainty, impreciseness, and vagueness, the appliance of such methods becomes a challenging task. In order to overcome the limitations resulting from the strict modus operandi of formal methods, the main objective of this work is to relax the boolean notion of formal specifications by using fuzzy logic. The present approach is based on Focus theory, a model-based and strictly formal method for componentbased interactive systems. The contribution of this work is twofold: i) we introduce a specification technique based on fuzzy logic which can be used on top of Focus to develop formal specifications in a qualitative fashion; ii) we partially extend Focus theory to a fuzzy one which allows the specification of fuzzy components and fuzzy interactions. While the former provides a methodology for approximating I/O behaviors under imprecision, the latter enables to capture a more quantitative view of specification properties such as realizability.Comment: In Proceedings FESCA 2015, arXiv:1503.0437

A versatile and customizable low-cost 3D-printed open standard for microscopic imaging

Modern microscopes used for biological imaging often present themselves as black boxes whose precise operating principle remains unknown, and whose optical resolution and price seem to be in inverse proportion to each other. With UC2 (You. See. Too.) we present a low-cost, 3D-printed, open-source, modular microscopy toolbox and demonstrate its versatility by realizing a complete microscope development cycle from concept to experimental phase. The self-contained incubator-enclosed brightfield microscope monitors monocyte to macrophage cell differentiation for seven days at cellular resolution level (e.g. 2 μm). Furthermore, by including very few additional components, the geometry is transferred into a 400 Euro light sheet fluorescence microscope for volumetric observations of a transgenic Zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). With this, we aim to establish an open standard in optics to facilitate interfacing with various complementary platforms. By making the content and comprehensive documentation publicly available, the systems presented here lend themselves to easy and straightforward replications, modifications, and extensions

Measuring the shape. Performance evaluation of a photogrammetry improvement applied to the Neanderthal skull Saccopastore 1

Several digital technologies are nowadays developed and applied to the study of the human fossil record. Here, we present a low-cost hardware implementation of the digital acquisition via photogrammetry, applied to a specimen of paleoanthropological interest: the Neanderthal skull Saccopastore 1. Such implementation has the purpose to semi-automatize the procedures of digital acquisition, by the introduction of an automatically rotating platform users can easily build on their own with minimum costs. We provide all the technical specifications, mostly based on the Arduino UNO™ microcontroller technology, and evaluate the performance and the resolution of the acquisition by comparing it with the CT-scan of the same specimen through the calculation of their shape differences. In our opinion, the replication of the automatic rotating platform, described in this work, may contribute to the improvement of the digital acquisition processes and may represent, in addition, a useful and affordable tool for both research and dissemination

State-of-The-Art and Applications of 3D Imaging Sensors in Industry, Cultural Heritage, Medicine, and Criminal Investigation

3D imaging sensors for the acquisition of three dimensional (3D) shapes have created, in recent years, a considerable degree of interest for a number of applications. The miniaturization and integration of the optical and electronic components used to build them have played a crucial role in the achievement of compactness, robustness and flexibility of the sensors. Today, several 3D sensors are available on the market, even in combination with other sensors in a “sensor fusion” approach. An importance equal to that of physical miniaturization has the portability of the measurements, via suitable interfaces, into software environments designed for their elaboration, e.g., CAD-CAM systems, virtual renders, and rapid prototyping tools. In this paper, following an overview of the state-of-art of 3D imaging sensors, a number of significant examples of their use are presented, with particular reference to industry, heritage, medicine, and criminal investigation applications

User Experience Design in an Axis Camera Setup Interface

In a world where the UX-standard is rising from the use of well-developed everyday products, better UX Design is becoming more and more expected of all products within the IT-industry. It can not only be argued that an investment in UX Design is critical for the future position on the surveillance camera industry, but also required to meet requirements of the non-experts installing the camera. UX Design could be also be an economical profit as it will lower the need of support and education, while also increasing sales through branding. We have created an installation wizard through several iterations. With a thorough background study we have learned how to use established UX Design methods, like for example usability testing, to the fullest. These iterations have created a total of four design prototypes where every step of the wizard has been designed by paper, evolved to a mid fidelity Balsamiq Mockups prototype and through the process become a mature and clickable high fidelity prototype. The prototypes have been made using established design rules, latest design trends and Axis Communications’ new graphic identity. With instant feedback, minimalistic design, less technical terms, smart guessing and automated settings we created a more efficient way to install an Axis camera while also encouraging the user to make changes to and explore settings.I en värld där UX-standarden höjs av att använda välutvecklade vardagsprodukter, förväntas det bättre och bättre UX Design av alla produkter inom IT-branschen. Man skulle kunna säga att UX Design inte bara är avgörande för den framtida positionen på övervakningskamerabranschen, utan även ett krav för att möta efterfrågan av att det inte längre endast är experter som installerar kameror. UX Design kan också skapa en ekonomisk vinst eftersom det sänker behovet av support och utbildning samtidigt som det ökar försäljningen genom att stärka varumärket. Vi har skapat en installationswizard genom flera iterationer. Med en grundlig bakgrundsstudie har vi lärt oss att använda etablerade UX Design-metoder, som till exempel användningstestning. Dessa iterationer har lett till totalt fyra designprototyper där varje steg av wizarden har blivit designad på papper, utvecklats till en mid fidelity Balsamiq Mockups-prototyp och genom processen blivit en välutvecklad och klickbar high fidelity-prototyp. Prototyperna har skapats genom att använda etablerade designregler, de senaste designtrenderna och Axis Communications nya grafiska profil. Med direkt feedback, minimalistisk design, färre tekniska termer, smarta förslag och automatiska inställningar har vi skapat ett mer effektivt sätt att installera en Axis-kamera som även uppmuntrar användaren att göra ändringar samt utforska inställningarna

Modeling and Design of Digital Electronic Systems

The paper is concerned with the modern methodologies for holistic modeling of electronic systems enabling system-on-chip design. The method deals with the functional modeling of complete electronic systems using the behavioral features of Hardware Description Languages or high level languages then targeting programmable devices - mainly Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) - for the rapid prototyping of digital electronic controllers. This approach offers major advantages such as: a unique modeling and evaluation environment for complete power systems, the same environment is used for the rapid prototyping of the digital controller, fast design development, short time to market, a CAD platform independent model, reusability of the model/design, generation of valuable IP, high level hardware/software partitioning of the design is enabled, Concurrent Engineering basic rules (unique EDA environment and common design database) are fulfilled. The recent evolution of such design methodologies is marked through references to case studies of electronic system modeling,simulation, controller design and implementation. Pointers for future trends / evolution of electronic design strategies and tools are given