A framework for analysis of timing and resource utilization targeting complex embedded systems
Johan Andersson, Anders Wall, Akil Al-w, Christer Norström · 2006
Abstract. A common problem with long-lived large industrial software systems such as telecom and industrial automation systems is the high complexity together with the lack of formal models describing the behavior of the system. This makes it hard to analyze different properties of the systems runtime behavior and to predict how it is affected if the system is changed. The complexity increases as new features are added or changed during the system life cycle, so as the system evolve, it will become harder and harder to predict the impact of adding new features to the system. We introduce the ART Framework which is based on the general idea of introducing a formal model that is analyzable with respect to the system properties in focus, i.e. timing and resource utilization. This model can be used for predicting the impact caused by e.g. adding a new feature or vast changes to the system. This enables the system developers to identify potential problems with their design at an early stage and thus decreasing the maintenance cost, but also via testing different design alternatives efficiently increase the system reliability. The framework primarily targets large industrial real-time control systems, but it is applicable on a wide range of software system where complexity is an issue. In order to analyze the model, we use simulation. Existing analytical methods for timing analysis are not expressive enough to capture the characteristics of the systems we consider. Moreover, other formal techniques such as model-checking do not scale sufficiently to allow analysis of industrial systems. This paper presents the general idea and a process for how to construct, validate, and use this type of models. The paper also presents the modeling language and analysis tools included in the framework, as well as a case study where the framework has been used in a real industrial application. 1