An architecture for deploying model based testing in embedded systems

Abstract

There have been several model based approaches used in the recent past for alleviating complexity in design, development and test case generation for real-time embedded software systems. However, deploying/executing these test cases in the embedded target without affecting the real-time behavior of the system still remains a challenging and unanswered question. To address this, we propose a novel architecture to perform an integrated model based testing for embedded systems. We introduce a holistic model based design, development and testing approach with the aid of a monitor and target debugger solution for real-time embedded systems. Our proposed approach eliminates the need for dynamic source code instrumentation inserted into the target to execute the software test routines. This will result in preserving the real-time behavior which is a boon especially for real-time critical and code size constrained embedded systems. We illustrate our proposed approach with a prototype and an example.

Knowledge-Based Verification of Concatenative Programming Patterns Inspired by Natural Language for Resource-Constrained Embedded Devices

“…Even if not specifically for either embedded or runtime applications, grammar-based methodologies enriched by denotational semantics have been proposed to verify the correctness of Java high-level symbolic expressions [ 15 ]. Other works focus on test case generation techniques specifically intended for embedded systems [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Besides correct-by-construction methodologies, which generate executable code from formal specifications [ 20 ], direct generation of formal models from executable code has also been investigated [ 21 ].…”

Applicability of an integrated model-based testing approach for RTES

“…It also eliminates the need for dynamic source code instrumentation for inserting and executing the test stimuli. However, experimental evaluation of the applicability of such an integrated approach for a real-world RTES scenario is missing in [6]. This paper closes this gap and introduces the following novel contributions.…”

“…The test cases can now be executed via the target monitor encapsulated with the RealTime Operating System (RTOS) in the RTES. Thus, our approach discussed in [6] deals with step (c) of the MBT process described above. It also eliminates the need for dynamic source code instrumentation for inserting and executing the test stimuli.…”