On the use of metatypes for safe embedded operating system extension

Abstract

We present in this paper an extensible system for small secure embedded devices. We advocate the use of a typed intermediate language as a transformation of various high level languages. We present an extensible type system that unifies in a unique hierarchy some type systems from various source languages and ensures integrity and confidentility. To increase execution efficiency and use flexibility, we propose a dynamic binding mechanism that allows the programmer to describe the bindings of his code without breaking the type system. We also design the whole type system so that future addition of new kinds of objects has as little impact as possible.