A model-based framework for software portability and verification in embedded power management systems

Abstract

Run-Time Management (RTM) systems are used in embedded systems to dynamically adapt hardware performance to minimise energy consumption. A significant challenge is that RTM software can require laborious manual adjustment across different hardware platforms due to the diversity of architecture characteristics. Model-driven development offers the potential to simplify the management of platform diversity by shifting the focus away from handwritten platform-specific code to platform-independent models from which platform-specific implementations are automatically generated. Furthermore, the use of formal verification provides the means to ensure that implementations are correct-by-construction. In this paper, we present a framework for automatic generation of RTM implementations from platformindependent formal models. The methodology in designing the RTM systems uses a high-level mathematical language, Event-B, which can describe systems at different abstraction levels. A code generation tool is used to translate platform-independent Event-B RTM models to platform-specific

A framework for embedded software portability and verification: from formal models to low-level code

“…Event-B is a formal method for system-level modeling and analysis [2,21] derived from the B formalism [1]. Based on set theory and state transitions, Event-B supports refinements to model different abstraction levels, while mathematical proofs verify correctness and consistency between refinements.…”

Verifying Cross-Layer Interactions Through Formal Model-Based Assertion Generation

“…We have experimented with our approach by testing the integration of two applications (a video decoder and a Jacobi application), one RTM (Q-Learning) and a device (Odroid XU3) through the PRiME framework APIs [9]. Our approach enabled us to discover several inconsistencies in how the implementation of the video decoder application called the cross-layer API.…”

Verifiable Code Generation from Scheduled Event-B Models

“…In [10], we extended Event-B code generation tool [9] and applied it to an Event-B model of a learning-based RTM (Runtime Management system) in embedded system design to generate C implementation from the model. The code generation tool supports portability of the platform-independent model from which platform-specific implementations are automatically generated.…”

“…In future, we want to mechanise the process of generation of the code and contracts from scheduled Event-B models. We also envisage to apply the approach presented in this paper to other case studies including the Event-B model of RTM introduced in [10] to further validate our approach.…”