Analysis as a First-Class Citizen: An Application to Architecture Description Languages

Abstract

Abstract-Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) support modeling and analysis of systems through models transformation and exploration. Various contributions made proposals to bring verification capabilities to designers through model-based frameworks and illustrated benefits to the overall system quality.Model-level analyses are usually performed as an exogenous, unidirectional and semantically weak transformation towards a third-party model. We claim such process can be incomplete and/or inefficient because gathered results lead to evolution of the primary model. This is particularly problematic for the design of Distributed Real-Time Embedded (DRE) systems that has to tackle many concerns like time, security or safety.In this paper, we argue why analysis should no longer be considered as a side step in the design process but, rather, should be embedded as a first-class citizen in the model itself. We review several standardized architecture description languages, which consider analysis as a goal. As an element of solution, we introduce current work on the definition of a language dedicated to the analysis of models within the scope of one particular ADL, namely the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL).

Towards the systematic analysis of non-functional properties in Model-Based Engineering for real-time embedded systems

“…EAST-ADL is used for automotive needs and complies with the AUTOSAR architecture [3]. See [22] for a more precise comparison of these languages. Synchronous models provide an intermediate level of abstraction between programs and the high-level architectural models discussed previously.…”