Formal semantics and verification of AADL modes in Timed Abstract State Machine

AADL (Architectural Analysis & Design Language) is an architecture description language standard for embedded real-time systems, and it is widely used in aerospace and other safety-critical applications. However, the AADL standard lacks at present a formal semantics. This paper proposes a formal semantics and a verification framework of AADL models with regard to mode change. The precise semantics of AADL mode change protocol is defined by a translation into the TASM (Timed Abstract State Machine) formalism. Then the translational semantics is automated in the AADL2TASM tool, which provides model checking and simulation for AADL models. Finally, the approach is validated with a case study of an automotive cruise control system.