Development framework approach to heterogeneous system design for control systems

Abstract

An integrated environment of software development tools, known as the Development Framework, which automates the design process for complex real-time embedded control systems, is introduced. The approach favoured here is to maximise the use of commercially available tools that are well understood by current industrial practitioners. Where necessary, new tools are introduced both in unifying the automated method and for supporting specialist functions. Introduced here is one such specialist example: support for the design of heterogeneous systems. This paper details the work on heterogeneity, and demonstrates how the essential properties of the Development Framework have been preserved. Thus, the Framework presents a unified methodology and an open system architecture. Finally, what should be learnt from this for building future techniques and tools for complex real-time control systems is discussed.