A model-driven engineering framework for embedded systems design

Abstract

This work presents a Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) framework to improve embedded system design. The framework adopts concepts from MDE for the automatic generation of a control and data flow internal representation, starting from the functional specification of an embedded application described using UML class and sequence diagrams. By means of transformations rules applied on the UML model of the embedded system, an MOF-based (Meta Object Facility is a standard representation for meta-models and models proposed by OMG) internal representation is automatically obtained, which is iteratively mapped into a hardware/software implementation by means of model transformations. This mapping is optimized by a design space exploration (DSE) method based on a categorical graph product. The model transformations have also as input a platform model, which specifies the available hardware, software and interface resources, and produce an implementation model, on which software synthesis, communication synthesis and high-level synthesis algorithms are applied to generate the final implementation. A case study is described to illustrate the application of the framework.

The COMPLEX methodology for UML/MARTE Modeling and design space exploration of embedded systems

“…Recent approaches [38,39] have related exploration to the MDE fundamental concept of model transformation. In [38], a declarative, relational approach is proposed where typical activities of the development process (functional partition or the application, refactoring of the platform architecture or mapping to the platform) are bounded by constraints.…”

“…In [38], these constraints are formalized and implemented as model transformation rules to support what is called mechanized exploration. The main aim of mechanized exploration is to support an interactive and incremental DSE process, capable to present feasible solutions to the user, which can make decisions and control a gradual refinement of the model MODES [39] is a recent proposal which exploits model-to-model transformation in order to generate an internal representation model which is not only used for DSE, but also for formal verification and co-synthesis. This way, model-based design serves for the integration of DSE in the design flow.…”

“…DESERT [36] objective is to perform a prune of the design space in structural terms, before the application of behavioral, thus simulation-based, analysis methods. MODES [39] currently targets a static analysis tool for performance assessment, although authors say that a SystemC simulation target is also in plan.…”

A DEVS-based engine for building digital quadruplets

“…As a consequence, UML models must be translated into or used along with some formalism. For instance, in Murillo et al, 23 UML/MARTE is mapped to a mathematical formalism; in Nascimento et al, 24 the functional behavior of a UML model is translated into a network Labeled Timed Automata (LTA) for formal verification. In addition, UML lacks the methodology to complement the design implementation after requirement specification; it also has consistency problems, which is a major set-back for this design methodology.…”

A self-adaptive deployment solution for Android platforms

“…CVL [165] is a generic variability modeling language that can be applied to models created in any Domain Specific Language (DSL) that is defined based on Meta Object Facility (MOF). MOF is a standard representation for meta-models and models proposed by OMG (Object Management Group) [43], a technology consortium formed in 1989 [23].…”