A UML Model-Based Approach for Replication Assessment of AUTOSAR Safety-Critical Applications

The paper extends the AUTOSAR meta-model to enable feasibility predictions on the provision of fault-tolerant support for application components. We focus on a fault-tolerant support based on software replication techniques. The meta-model is extended in order to evaluate different replication strategies, in terms of replication styles, types of faults to be tolerated, replicas placement. This extension is realized by a UML profile. A model-based approach is presented aiming at the definition of a so-called Application Replication View, in which a replication strategy is specified for safety critical application components. A separate model, called Application Timing View, defines timing constraints for system responses. The combination of the two views will enable schedulability analysis of the fault-tolerant application. Schedulability analysis considers the task set composed of application tasks and the additional tasks injected by replication. An automotive case study is presented showing the applicability of the approach.