Sequence-based specification of feedback control systems in Simulink®
22 Oct 2007-pp 332-345
TL;DR: This paper focuses on the adaptation of sequence-based specification to Simulink blocks, feedback control, and state machine generation, while preserving the ability to convert ordinary requirements to precise state-machine specifications.
Abstract: Solid-state microprocessors with software controlled sensors and actuators have essentially replaced analog control systems. Design systems with extensive libraries and code generators such as the ETAS® ASCET and MATLAB®/Simulink are widely used in industry to design control systems. However. the software engineering methods to help get the design right are missing. Sequence-based specification is a rigorous method that is well suited to the design of embedded control systems. This paper focuses on the adaptation of sequence-based specification to Simulink blocks, feedback control, and state machine generation, while preserving the ability to convert ordinary requirements to precise state-machine specifications.
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DOI•
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The results are very conclusive in the sense that the used formal techniques could deliver substantially better quality code compared to the code developed in conventional development methods.
Abstract: In this thesis we describe the effectiveness of applying a number of formal techniques to the development of industrial control software at Philips Healthcare. We demonstrate how these techniques were tightly incorporated to the industrial workflow and the issues encountered during the application. The work was established in an industrial context, dealing with real industrial projects and a real product concerning the development of interventional X-ray systems. The results are very conclusive in the sense that the used formal techniques could deliver substantially better quality code compared to the code developed in conventional development methods. Also, the results show that the productivity of the formally developed code is better than the productivity of code developed by projects at Philips Healthcare or projects reported worldwide. The thesis also includes a number of design and specification guidelines that assist constructing verifiable components using model checking. The guidelines were successful in designing and verifying a controller component developed at Philips Healthcare. Hence, the guidelines can provide an effective framework to design verifiable control components in industrial settings.
45 citations
25 Sep 2011
TL;DR: The results indicate that applying ASD as a formal technology for developing control software could result in fewer defects in the development of various control software units developed for the X-ray machines.
Abstract: Formal methods are being applied to the development of software of various applications at Philips Healthcare. In particular, the Analytical Software Design (ASD) method is being used as a formal technology for developing defect-free control software of highly sophisticated X-ray equipments. In this paper we analyze the effects of applying ASD to the development of various control software units developed for the X-ray machines. We compare the quality of these units with other units developed in traditional development methods. The results indicate that applying ASD as a formal technology for developing control software could result in fewer defects.
34 citations
Cites background from "Sequence-based specification of fee..."
...ASD is a component-based, model-driven technology that combines the application of formal mathematical methods such as Sequence-Based Specification (SBS) [12], Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) [16] and the model checker Failure Divergence Refinement (FDR) [5] with software development methods such as Stepwise Refinement, and Component-Based Software Development [4]....
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...such as Sequence-Based Specification (SBS) [12], Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) [16] and the model checker Failure Divergence Refinement (FDR) [5] with soft-...
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14 Mar 2011
TL;DR: This paper presents an approach to formalize the requirements specification by test models, which serve as basis for the following testing activities, including the automated derivation of executable test cases from it.
Abstract: Increasingly intelligent energy-management and safety systems are developed to realize safe and economic automobiles. The realization of these systems is only possible with complex and distributed software. This development poses a challenge for verification and validation. Upcoming standards like ISO 26262 provide requirements for verification and validation during development phases. Advanced test methods are requested for safety critical functions. Formal specification of requirements and appropriate testing strategies in different stages of the development cycle are part of it. In this paper we present our approach to formalize the requirements specification by test models. These models serve as basis for the following testing activities, including the automated derivation of executable test cases from it. Test cases can be derived statistically, randomly on the basis of operational profiles, and deterministically in order to perform different testing strategies. We have applied our approach with a large German OEM in different development stages of active safety and energy management functionalities. The test cases were executed in model-in-the-loop and in hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Errors were identified with our approach both in the requirement specification and in the implementation that were not discovered before.
23 citations
Cites methods from "Sequence-based specification of fee..."
...Our approach, which overcomes the drawbacks of TDD, bases on the idea of [8] and is further described in section IV....
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21 Mar 2011
TL;DR: This paper proposes an extension to Model Based Statistical Testing which deals with the mentioned problems and maintains all mentioned advantages and shows that it is possible to generate executable test cases from the Petri nets.
Abstract: Model Based Statistical Testing is a highly automated test approach. It allows the fully automated test case generation, execution, evaluation and estimation of the test objects reliability. This can be done after building a test model which is called a usage model. These models do neither support a notion of time, nor do they allow to model concurrency, which both are of great concern in testing embedded systems. This paper proposes an extension to Model Based Statistical Testing which deals with the mentioned problems and maintains all mentioned advantages of Model Based Statistical Testing. This is done by using an advanced kind of Petri nets as test model. A usage model can be generated out of these Petri nets. The direct creation of a usage model without the use of the proposed Petri nets is not possible in practice if it is necessary to deal with time and concurrency. This is the case because usage models tend to get very large in this very common situation. The paper does also show that it is possible to generate executable test cases (including oracle information) from the Petri nets. Tool support for the presented approach is available.
23 citations
Cites methods from "Sequence-based specification of fee..."
...It was used in projects involved with testing embedded systems (ES) such as mass storage devices, medical devices and automotive components [6]....
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References
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Book•
01 Jan 1963
219 citations
"Sequence-based specification of fee..." refers background in this paper
...This type of system is formally know as a sampled-data control system [12]....
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Book•
01 Jun 1999TL;DR: This book serves both as an introduction for those new to Cleanroom and as a reference guide for the growing practitioner community, finding a proven way to raise both quality and productivity in their software-intensive products, while reducing costs.
Abstract: Cleanroom software engineering is a process for developing and certifying high-reliability software. Combining theory-based engineering technologies in project management, incremental development, software specification and design, correctness verification, and statistical quality certification, the Cleanroom process answers today's call for more reliable software and provides methods for more cost-effective software development.Cleanroom originated with Harlan D. Mills, an IBM Fellow and a visionary in software engineering. Written by colleagues of Mills and some of the most experienced developers and practitioners of Cleanroom, Cleanroom Software Engineering provides a roadmap for software management, development, and testing as disciplined engineering practices. This book serves both as an introduction for those new to Cleanroom and as a reference guide for the growing practitioner community. Readers will discover a proven way to raise both quality and productivity in their software-intensive products, while reducing costs.Highlights Explains basic Cleanroom theory Introduces the sequence-based specification method Elaborates the full management, development, and certification process in a Cleanroom Reference Model (CRM) Shows how the Cleanroom process dovetails with the SEI's Capability Maturity Model for Software (CMM) Includes a large case study to illustrate how Cleanroom methods scale up to large projects.
168 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1961
TL;DR: This book offers coverage of control engineering beginning with discussions of how typical control systems may be represented by block diagrams, and goes on to show that important information concerning the basic or inherent operating characteristics of a system may be obtained from knowledge of the steady-state behavior.
Abstract: From the Publisher:
In recent years, automatic control systems have been rapidly increasing in importance in all fields of engineering. The applications of control systems cover a very wide range, from the design of precision control devices such as delicate electronic equipment to the design of massive equipment such as that used for the manufacture of steel or other industrial processes. Microprocessors have added a new dimension to the capability of control systems. New applications for automatic controls are continually being discovered. This book offers coverage of control engineering beginning with discussions of how typical control systems may be represented by block diagrams. This is accomplished by first demonstrating how to represent each component or part of a system as a simple block diagram, then explaining how these individual diagrams may be connected to form the overall block diagram, just as the actual components are connected to form the complete control system. Because actual control systems frequently contain nonlinear components, considerable emphasis is given to such components. The book goes on to show that important information concerning the basic or inherent operating characteristics of a system may be obtained from knowledge of the steady-state behavior. Continuing on in the book's coverage, readers will find information involving: how the linear differential equations that describe the operation of control systems may be solved algebraically by the use of Laplace transforms; general characteristics of transient behavior; the application of the root-locus method to the design of control systems; the use of the analog computer to simulate control systems; state-space methods; digital control systems; frequency-response methods; and system compensation.
152 citations
"Sequence-based specification of fee..." refers background in this paper
...As in our power window example, feedback control systems have two major parts, a controller and a plant[9]....
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01 Jan 1988
TL;DR: The author proposes that the formality of specifications and designs be developed together in box structures with many sponsor and user interfaces to allow the stepwise refinement and verification of hierarchical system designs from their specifications at formal and informal levels.
Abstract: The author proposes that the formality of specifications and designs be developed together in box structures with many sponsor and user interfaces. Box structures of data abstractions allow the stepwise refinement and verification of hierarchical system designs from their specifications at formal and informal levels. He discusses the features and advantages of the approach. He used a navigation and weather buoy case study and gives a detailed, step-by-step application of the method.<>
134 citations
"Sequence-based specification of fee..." refers background in this paper
...Only current state and current stimulus is necessary to determine response and next state[3]....
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...A complete, consistent and correct black box specifying user requirements is the foundation for engineering control system software[3]....
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TL;DR: In this article, the formality of specifications and designs are developed together in box structures with many sponsor and user interfaces, allowing the stepwise refinement and verification of hierarchical system designs from their specifications at formal and informal levels.
Abstract: The author proposes that the formality of specifications and designs be developed together in box structures with many sponsor and user interfaces. Box structures of data abstractions allow the stepwise refinement and verification of hierarchical system designs from their specifications at formal and informal levels. He discusses the features and advantages of the approach. He used a navigation and weather buoy case study and gives a detailed, step-by-step application of the method. >
130 citations