Automated model analysis and test generation for flight guidance mode logic

Abstract

Incomplete, ambiguous, or rapidly changing requirements can have a profound impact on the quality and cost of software development. In an effort to provide a more rigorous approach to flight-critical system development, Rockwell Collins used a formal specification modeling approach to develop the mode control logic of a Flight Guidance System (FGS) for a General Aviation class aircraft Rockwell Collins later used an early version of Test Automation Framework (TAF) approach for model-based analysis and test automation to analyze the requirement model and generate tests for a new implementation of the FGS system The TAF approach integrates various government and commercially available model development and test generation tools to support defect prevention and automated testing of systems and software. This paper describes the TAF model-based verification approach. It summarizes the new model and implementation errors that have been discovered. It briefly describes how the TAF approach can be used to locate requirement defects early in the development process, reduce manual test development effort, and reduce rework. It describes how the use of model-based development and test automation can be effectively used in the development and verification of systems that must meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and quality.