Multi-view modeling and analysis of embedded real-time software with meta-modeling and model transformation

We present an end-to-end tool-chain for model-based design and analysis of component-based embedded real-time software, with Avionics Mission Computing as an application domain. The tool-chain covers the entire system development life-cycle including modeling, analysis, code generation, and runtime instrumentation. Emphasis is placed on integration of tools developed by multiple institutions via standardized interface format definitions in XML. All aspects of an embedded real-time system are captured in domain-specific models, including software components and architecture, timing and resource constraints, processes and threads, execution platforms, etc. Configuration code generation allows automated building of the application executable. Instrumentation of the application running on a target platform is used to collect runtime statistics that are fedback into the models. Analysis tools perform various static analyses based on the models, including system-level dependency analysis, execution-rate assignment to component ports, real-time and schedulability analysis, and automated allocation of components to processors. By capturing all relevant information explicitly in models at the design level, and performing analysis that provides insight into non-functional aspects of the system, we can raise the level of abstraction for the designer, and facilitate rapid system prototyping.