Aneta Vulgarakis

A Classification Framework for Software Component Models

In the last decade, a large number of different software component models have been developed, with different aims and using different principles and technologies. This has resulted in a number of models which have many similarities, but also principal differences, and in many cases unclear concepts. Component-based development has not succeeded in providing standard principles, as has, for example, object-oriented development. In order to increase the understanding of the concepts and to differentiate component models more easily, this paper identifies, discusses, and characterizes fundamental principles of component models and provides a Component Model Classification Framework based on these principles. Further, the paper classifies a large number of component models using this framework.

A Component Model for Control-Intensive Distributed Embedded Systems

In this paper we focus on design of a class of distributed embedded systems that primarily perform real-time controlling tasks. We propose a two-layer component model for design and development of such embedded systems with the aim of using component-based development for decreasing the complexity in design and providing a ground for analyzing them and predict their properties, such as resource consumption and timing behavior. The two-layer model is used to efficiently cope with different design paradigms on different abstraction levels. The model is illustrated by an example from the vehicular domain.

REMES: A Resource Model for Embedded Systems

In this paper, we introduce the model REMES for formalmodeling and analysis of embedded resources such as storage,energy, communication, and computation. The modelis a state-machine based behavioral language with supportfor hierarchical modeling, resource annotations, continuoustime, and notions of explicit entry and exit points thatmake it suitable for component-based modeling of embeddedsystems.The analysis of REMES-based systems is centeredaround a weighted sum in which the variables representthe amounts of consumed resources. We describe a numberof important resource related analysis problems, includingfeasibility, trade-off, and optimal resource-utilization analysis.To formalize these problems and provide a basis forrigorous analysis, we show how to analyze REMES modelsusing the framework of priced timed automata and weightedCTL. To illustrate the approach, we describe a case study inwhich it has been applied to model and analyze resourceusageof a temperature control system.

A Component Model Family for Vehicular Embedded Systems

In this paper we propose to use components for managing the increasing complexity in modern vehicular systems. Compared to other approaches, the distinguishing feature of our work is using and benefiting from components throughout the development process from early design to development and deployment, and an explicit separation of concerns at different levels of granularity. Based on the elaboration of the specifics of vehicular systems (resource constraints, real-time requirements, hard demands on reliability), the paper identifies concerns that need to be addressed by a component model for this domain, and describes a realization of such a component model.

Formal Semantics of the ProCom Real-Time Component Model

ProCom is a new component model for real-time and embedded systems, targeting the domains of vehicular and telecommunication systems. In this paper, we describe how the architectural elements of the ProCom component model have been given a formal semantics. The semantics is given in a small but powerful finite state machine formalism,with notions of urgency, timing, and priorities. By defining the semantics in this way, we (i) provide a rigorous and compact description of the modeling elements of ProCom, (ii) seethe ground for formal analysis using other formalisms, and(iii) provide an intuitive and useful description for both practitioners and researchers. To illustrate the approach,we exemplify with a number of particularly interesting cases, ranging from ports and services to components and component hierarchies.

Virtualization technologies in embedded real-time systems

Virtualization is a promising solution to develop complex embedded systems with real-time requirements. This paper discusses the current state-of-the-art in virtualization technologies, with a particular focus on solutions for embedded real-time systems. Several such solutions have been developed over the past decade, and in this paper we give an overview of the more well known technologies and we provide a comparative assessment of key virtualization techniques available in these solutions. Gaps and lacking pieces are identified and further development and research is suggested.

REMES tool-chain: a set of integrated tools for behavioral modeling and analysis of embedded systems

In this paper, we present a tool-chain for the REMES language, which can be used for the construction and analysis of embedded system behavioral models. The tool-chain consists of the following tools: (i) a REMES editor for modeling behaviors of embedded components, (ii) a REMES simulator to test timing and resource behavior prior to formal analysis, and (iii) an automated transformation from REMES to Priced Timed Automata, needed for formal analysis.

Embedded Systems Resources: Views on Modeling and Analysis

The conflicting requirements of real-time embedded systems, e.g. minimizing memory usage while still ensuring that all deadlines are met at run-time, require rigorous analysis of the systems resource consumption, starting at early design stages. In this paper, we glance through several representative frameworks that model and estimate resource usage of embedded systems, pointing out advantages and limitations. In the end, we describe our own view on how to model and carry out formal analysis of embedded resources, along with developing the system.

Integrating Behavioral Descriptions into a Component Model for Embedded Systems

When component-based development is applied to distributed embedded systems, which are often safety-critical and subject to real-time constraints, it is of significant importance that reliable predictions of functional and extra functional properties can be derived at design-time. Preferably, analysis should be performed in early development phases, where the cost of modifying the design is lower. Centered on an example application from the automation domain, we show how a component model specifically intended for embedded systems can be combined with a language for high-level formal behavior modeling. This permits analysis of system properties, while also supporting reuse of behavioral models when components are reused.

Evaluating industrial applicability of virtualization on a distributed multicore platform

Adoption of virtualization technology has been limited in industrial automation due to unavailability of mature solutions, and strict timing requirements of control systems. However, current advancement in Virtual Monitoring Machine, multicore technology, virtualization extension and network virtualization has led to increased interest of virtualization in industrial automation. So far, many related research are focused on maximizing CPU and I/O utilization, and optimization applicable to soft realtime systems (i.e., outside industrial automation domain), e.g., multimedia applications. In this research, we make use of QoS for CPU, memory and network bandwidth in pursuit of high speed and predictability on a distributed multicore platform which is constructed entirely from open source products. We evaluate the platform for latency and jitter, network throughput and CPU computation load. Finally, we analyze the result for applicability in industrial control domain.