Integration of collaborative analyses for development of embedded control software

Model-based methodologies have been widely used to handle the increasing demand for rapid development of high-quality, real-time embedded control software. A key challenge in such model-based design is integration of various collaborative analysis methods to support the automation of the design process. Traditional analysis methods developed for analyzing specific system properties, however, are not designed for such integration, and thus cannot ensure that the information for the analysis will be provided at the design stage where the information is needed. Moreover, many traditional analysis methods depend heavily on complete and accurate design models which can only be applied to post-design verification and are unavailable for automation of the design process involving an early design stage, where implementation details are unknown. This challenge can be met by integrating analysis methods with the design process. We have developed such a framework combined with software modeling, execution platform configuration, and run-time monitoring mechanisms to enable accurate assessment of embedded software quality at early design stages. We have implemented and demonstrated the framework with a toolkit, called AIRES, that integrates software models, a virtual execution platform, and timing and schedulability analysis methods.