Insertion of fault detection mechanisms in distributed Ada software systems

Abstract

A technique for automatically inserting software mechanisms to detect single event upset (SEU) in distributed Ada systems is presented. SEUs may cause information corruption, leading to a change in program flow or causing a program to execute an infinite loop. Two cooperative software mechanisms for detecting the presence of these upsets are described. Automatic insertion of these mechanisms is discussed in relation to the structure of Ada software systems. A program, software modifier for upset detection (SMUD), has been written to automatically modify Ada application software and insert software upset detection mechanisms. As an example, the mechanisms have been incorporated into a system model that employs the MIL-STD-1553B communications protocol. This system model is used as a testbed for verifying that SMUD properly inserts the detection mechanisms. Ada is used for creating the simulation environment to exercise and verify the protocol. Simulation has been used to test and verify the proper functioning of the detection mechanisms. The testing methodology, a short description of the 1553B testbed, and a set of performance measures are presented.<>