Using architecture for multiple levels of access to an ecosystem platform

The paper presents a novel ecosystem for software-intensive embedded systems as an alternative to integration-centric software development. A set of necessary qualities is identified for the embedded platform enabling the ecosystem, i.e. deployability of new functions, maintainability over time, and configurability according to hardware within the product family. The embedded platform must support composability of software from different development stakeholders, such as the original equipment manufacturer, strategic and 3rd-party developers. The paper presents some key mechanisms for implementing the necessary certification in the platform that facilitates composability while still preserving dependability. A theoretical example of how this would look like in the automotive domain is presented, and an actual case of an in-vehicle platform implementing some of the mechanisms is shown