Automating the development of distributed control software

Abstract

The Development Framework translates application-specific system specifications into parallel, hard real-time implementations, using methods that are both familiar to developers and optimal for the application. The Development Framework approach applies CASE tools-as well as several new tools-to the development of distributed systems, so designers can concentrate on the control-engineering aspects of their systems. The approach addresses three development phases: specification, software design, and implementation. In the specification phase, the control engineer refines behavioral requirements through simulation and analysis, thereby verifying that the system meets its functional requirements prior to implementation. Once the simulated behavior is satisfactory, the specified behavior is translated into a design. Finally, our tools produce source code, either by automatically generating it or by drawing it from a library. We describe the new and existing tools we apply during each phase. We then demonstrate our approach using an example of a linearized roll-pitch-yaw autopilot and airframe model.<>