UML specification of real-time imaging systems

The specification of real-time imaging systems has traditionally been performed using a mix of structured modeling techniques and operational descriptions with scant regard for consistent abstractions, analyzable models or maintenance needs. This is not because structured approaches cannot cope with these issues, but rather that the user community has not adopted them; preferring individualistic methods. It could be reasonably surmised that this is in part due to a lack of understanding and/or appreciation for the software engineering practices that have been developed over the decades since the waterfall model of software development was introduced. That is to say, most experienced practitioners of imaging systems are not, in general, software engineers, but, rather, imaging engineers that construct their systems, or parts of, in software. There is, nevertheless, a need to address the status quo. This paper suggest the use of UML combined with a rigorous formal method, the Q-model, for the specification and design of real-time imaging systems. A short case study is presented to illustrate the proposed approach.