An analysis of the effects and evaluation of upper CASE tools for embedded microprocessors in Japan and the US

We have much difficulty in developing good software efficiently for embedded microprocessors (MPs) because of insufficient requirements analysis and incomplete product specification. To improve the situation, we often consider adopting an upper CASE tool. However, it is not clear that an upper CASE tool is effective in developing software for embedded MPs. We researched the software development environments and the use of upper CASE tools in Japan and the USA. As a result, we found differences in the software development environments of the two countries, and particularly we found differences in the use, effects and evaluation of upper CASE tools. It seems that Japanese vendors have not used upper CASE tools in an expedient way yet