Towards an impact analysis for component based real-time product line architectures

In this paper we propose a method for predicting the consequences of adding new components to an existing product line in the real-time systems domain. We refer to such a prediction as an impact analysis. New components are added as new features are introduced in the product line. Adding components to a real-time system may affect the temporal correctness of the system. In our approach to product line architectures, products are constructed by assembling components. By having a prediction enabled component technology as the underlying component technology, we can predict the behavior of an assembly of components. We demonstrate our approach by an example in which temporal correctness and consistency between versions of components is predicted.