Self-Test Components for Highly Reconfigurable Systems

Abstract Verification of component-based systems presents new challenges not yet completely addressed by existing testing techniques. This paper proposes a new approach for automatically testing highly reconfigurable component-based systems, i.e., systems that can be obtained by changing some components. The paper presents an industrial case that motivates our research and proposes a testing infrastructure that tracks run-time information for components. The collected information is used for automatic testing new versions of existing components and new configurations of existing systems

A formal abstract framework for modelling and testing complex software systems

International audienceThe contribution of this paper is twofold: first, it defines a unified framework for modeling abstract components, as well as a formalization of integration rules to combine their behaviour. This is based on a coalgebraic definition of components, which is a categorical representation allowing the unification of a large family of formalisms for specifying state-based systems. Second, it studies compositional conformance testing i.e. checking whether an implementation made of correct interacting components combined with integration operators conforms to its specification

Small-Scale Hybrid Rocket Test Stand & Characterization of Swirl Injectors

abstract: Derived from the necessity to increase testing capabilities of hybrid rocket motor (HRM) propulsion systems for Daedalus Astronautics at Arizona State University, a small-scale motor and test stand were designed and developed to characterize all components of the system. The motor is designed for simple integration and setup, such that both the forward-end enclosure and end cap can be easily removed for rapid integration of components during testing. Each of the components of the motor is removable allowing for a broad range of testing capabilities. While examining injectors and their potential it is thought ideal to obtain the highest regression rates and overall motor performance possible. The oxidizer and fuel are N2O and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), respectively, due to previous experience and simplicity. The injector designs, selected for the same reasons, are designed such that they vary only in the swirl angle. This system provides the platform for characterizing the effects of varying said swirl angle on HRM performance.Dissertation/ThesisM.S. Aerospace Engineering 201

Biocomposite from polylactic acid and lignocellulosic fibers: structure-property correlations

ABSTRACT PLA biocomposites were prepared using three corncob fractions and a wood fiber as reference. The composites were characterized by tensile testing, scanning electron (SEM) and polarization optical (POM) microscopy. Micromechanical deformation processes were followed by acoustic emission measurements. The different strength of the components was proved by direct measurements. Two consecutive micromechanical deformation processes were detected in composites containing the heavy fraction of corncob, which were assigned to the fracture of soft and hard particles, respectively. The fracture of soft particles does not result in the failure of the composites that is initi-ated either by the fracture of hard particles or by matrix cracking. Very large particles debond easily from the matrix resulting in catastrophic failure at very low stresses. At sufficiently large shear stresses large particles break easily during compounding, thus reinforcement depending on interfacial adhesion was practically the same in all composites irrespectively of initial fiber characteristics

Framework for motion prediction of vehicles in a simulation environment

[Abstract] Efficient testing and validation of software components for highly automate vehicles is one of the key challenges to be solved for their massive deployment. The number of driving situation and environment variables makes validation almost intractable with real vehicles in open roads, and the testing reproducibility can only be achieved via simulation. This manuscript presents a framework and preliminary results for motion prediction of vehicles in a simulation environment that is being currently developed by the AUTOPIA Program.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; DPI2017-86915-C3-1-RComunidad de Madrid; S2018-EMT-436

Design for Testability for Highly Reconfigurable Component-Based Systems

Abstract Highly-reconfigurable component-based systems, i.e., systems that are built form existing components and are distributed in many versions and configurations, are becoming increasingly popular. The design and verification of such systems presents new challenges. In this paper we propose a design approach that facilitates analysis and testing of different configurations by identifying and tracking relations among requirements, logic components and resources. The approach proposed in the paper allows for easily identifying different dependencies among resources, components and requirements and thus spotting the tests that must be re-executed to assure the desired level of quality

Integration of Control Systems: A Focus on Safety

PresentationThis abstract describes the importance of the design, integration and testing of control systems as a holistic structure in order to ensure process safety and operability. As a byproduct of today’s era of large projects, it is increasingly common in the design and integration of modern control systems that individual components of the control systems are developed independently as standalone elements. This current trend in development focuses less on the integration of the components as a holistic system- including process control, safety logic, packaged equipment control, and operator interactions. These components, though having independent primary functions, must synchronize harmoniously to operate a facility with reliability and safety. The downside of independent testing is that while the shutdown functions of a safety system might be adequately checked, the interaction with the process control system could cause unforeseen results, leading to the inability to start up a process unit in an acceptable timeframe or even at all. Robust and standardized integrated testing of all components of a control system provides greater confidence in identifying potential operational or safety issues that could arise at commissioning or during operation, while allowing time to remedy with proper review and testing. Additionally, utilization of a process model or simulation can help to further strengthen confidence in the holistic system by simulating field devices to test logic in situ. Furthermore, this combined control system and process model can provide a higher level of operator training