Design support and tooling for dependable embedded control software

Abstract

The efficient design of resilient embedded systems is hampered by the separation of engineering disciplines in current development approaches. We describe a new project entitled "Design Support and Tooling for Embedded Control Software" (DESTECS), which aims to develop a methodology and open tools platform for collaborative and multi-disciplinary development of dependable embedded real-time control systems. We also present some initial results from a small co-simulation case study. The DESTECS methodology combines continuous-time and discrete-event modelling via co-simulation, allowing explicit modelling of faults and fault-tolerance mechanisms from the outset. Continuous-time models are expressed using differential equations, which we represent using the well-known bond graph notation, supported by the 20-sim tool. We model discrete-event controllers using the Vienna Development Method (VDM), supported by the Overture tools. An open, extensible tools platform will be developed, populated with plug-ins to support static analysis, co-simulation, testing and fault analysis. Trials will be conducted on industrial case studies from several domains, including document handling, inertial measurement and personal transportation.