Raino Lintulampi

Graphical animation as a form of prototyping real-time software systems

An analysis of prototyping of embedded Real-Time Systems by means of graphical animation techniques is presented. We analyze the fundamental characteristics of prototyping and their relation to animation mechanisms. We show that animation strongly inherits certain benefits of prototyping while at the same time animation is able to alleviate some of the drawbacks of prototyping. A survey of known visualization techniques for real-time system animation is presented with an assessment to their relative strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the animation approach taken in Esprit project no. 5570, IPTES, is described. Our approach is unique in enabling animation of heterogeneous system models, i.e., combinations of submodels belonging to different levels of abstraction.

Automated assembly of machine control software

Abstract Machine control is a demanding application area for embedded computer systems. Modern machines used in applications in for example manufacturing, farming, forestry and transportation sectors are modular and their control is computerized. The need for customer-specific product variations is becoming increasingly common. Safety and reliability requirements must be strictly satisfied, although product development time and costs should be minimized. A computerized system for the assembly of reusable software components as a practical means for rapid configuration and just-in-time delivery of machine control systems is discussed.

SPADE — towards case tools that can guide design

A CASE tool to assist a designer in the task of guiding the software design process is presented. The architecture of the tool consists of design editors, databases of reusable software components and their descriptors, a dictionary of design control knowledge, a component proposer, a component applier, an agenda, an explainer, a design history recorder and a simulation-based design analyzer.

Risk and QFD guided prototyping of graphical animation software

We present early experiences of using a new approach for development of graphical computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools with model execution and animation capabilities. The spiral model for software development process, Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and prototyping form the backbone of our approach. Main characteristics of our approach are advanced risk-driven and QFD supported decision making enabling efficient teamwork on animation tool development. We present two concrete examples of our approach in the context of a graphical animation tool for object oriented software designs.