Development of a Design Framework for Heterogeneous Real Time Embedded Systems (TES.5224)

The purpose of the project is the development of a design framework, consisting of tools and libraries, which allows the designer to build high reliable heterogeneous real-time embedded systems in a very short time at a fraction of the present day costs. The proposed project spans two PROGRESS tracks i.e. Methodology and Design.

Since embedded systems are inherently parallel in nature, we will use a proven theory on concurrent programming, namely CSP - Communicating Sequential Processes. This will alleviate the real time programming problem, and gives us reason to be confident that this project will result in adequate tools. Note that currently computer-based control systems are still being implemented using the same techniques as 10 years ago. Together with the complexity of modern embedded systems, it is one of the main reasons for the large number of errors in these systems.

In the methodology track, the design framework will be implemented as an Integrated Design Environment (a software tool). Emphasis is put on the transformation from a high level description to computer code for the embedded computer (Java, C++, C). Object-oriented techniques are used throughout the whole process (describing the physical system, specifying the control algorithms, generating computer code), and thus facilitate tool development.

In the design track, real-life industrial embedded systems are designed using the techniques and tools from the other tracks. Experiences are fed back to the tool builders and theory developers.

We expect that the Integrated Design Environment can be made commercially available. Furthermore, the methods and case studies can be made publicly available via post-academic courses, reports and a book aimed in particular at industrial embedded system designers.

For results, see http://www.ce.utwente.nl/DesignTools.

Ten companies and two other universities are involved in this project.