A Model-Based and Automated Approach to Size Estimation of Embedded Software Components

Abstract

Abstract. Accurate estimation of Software Code Size is important for developing cost-efficient embedded systems. The Code Size affects the amount of system resources needed, like ROM and RAM memory, and processing capacity. In our previous work, we have estimated the Code Size based on CFP (COSMIC Function Points) within 15% accuracy, with the purpose of deciding how much ROM memory to fit into products with high cost pressure. Our manual CFP measurement process would require 2,5 man years to estimate the ROM size required in a typical car. In this paper, we want to investigate how the manual effort involved in estimation of Code Size can be minimized. We define a UML Profile capturing all information needed for estimation of Code Size, and develop a tool for automated estimation of Code Size based on CFP. A case study will show how UML models save manual effort in a realistic case.

Measuring the Software Size of Sliced V-Model Projects

“…The size calculated is subjective to the expertise of these experts [14] and the counting is difficult to mechanize [15]. Latter point has been addressed for the COSMIC recently by Lind and Heldal [16] and Oriu et al [17]. Both approaches require software models (e.g., as UML) as input for automatic size calculation.…”

“…The sum of the project's documentation sizes for requirements and defects equals the sum of development-related and test-related documentation, Equation (16).…”

An exploratory study on functional size measurement based on code

“…An overview of procedures that use conceptual models as basis for functional size is given in [29]. Practical implementations of automated COSMIC FSM based on functional design artefacts are described in [30] and [31].…”

CompSize: A Model-Based and Automated Approach to Size Estimation of Embedded Software Components

“…The UML components provide some (but not all) of the information needed for estimation of Code Size. Therefore, we define a UML Profile capturing all information needed for estimation of Code Size [29], and develop a tool for automated estimation of Code Size based on CFP [30]. Besides the increased efficiency obtained by our model-based and automated estimation approach, we expect to increase repeatability and consistency in the estimation process compared to a manual approach.…”

“…The contribution of this paper is a complete description of our model-based and automated estimation approach, and an explanation about how the UML Profile [29] and the CompSize tool [30] fit together. In addition, we aim to provide enough details to enable other researchers and practitioners to apply our approach.…”