An MDE methodology for the development of high-integrity real-time systems

This paper reports on experience gained and lessons learned from an intensive investigation of model-driven engineering methodology and technology for application to high-integrity systems. Favourable experimental context was provided for by ASSERT, a 40-month project partly funded by the EC as part of the 6th Framework Program. The goodness of fit of the MDE paradigm for the industrial domain of interest was critically assessed on a small number of candidate solutions. One of the main axes of investigation concerned HRT-UML/RCM, an advanced method and integrated tool for the model-driven development of embedded real-time software systems. HRT-UML/RCM vastly leveraged on version 2 of the OMG UML standard and combined it with the development of a domain-specific metamodel in the quest to attain correctness-by-construction from the ground up. The prototype tool developed in the project supported: (1) the separation of functional (sequential) design from the specification of real-time and concurrency requirements and properties to be preserved at run time; and (2) the exploitation of a fully generative approach to the development, equipped with support for model-based feasibility analysis and round-trip engineering.