A formal approach to collaborative modelling and co-simulation for embedded systems†. (August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: FITZGERALD, J. S.; LARSEN, P. G.; PIERCE, K. G.; VERHOEF, M. H. G.
• Editors: Bestavros, Azer; Kfoury, Assaf
• Is Part Of: Mathematical structures in computer science. Volume 23:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 726
• Page End: 750
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Subjects: Computer science -- Mathematics -- Periodicals; 004.015105
• DOI: 10.1017/S0960129512000242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1295

Abstract

Abstract : The effective use of model-based formal methods in the development of complex embedded systems requires the integration of discrete-event models of controllers with continuous-time models of their environments. This paper proposes a new approach to the development of such combined models (co-models), in which an initial discrete-event model may include approximations of continuous-time behaviour that can subsequently be replaced by couplings to continuous-time models. An operational semantics of co-simulation allows the discrete and continuous models to run on their respective simulators and managed by a coordinating co-simulation engine. This permits the exploration of the composite co-model's behaviour in a range of operational scenarios. The approach has been realised using the Vienna Development Method (VDM) as the discrete-event formalism, and 20-sim as the continuous-time framework, and has been applied successfully to a case study based on the distributed controller for a personal transporter device.