Applying model-driven development to distributed real-time and embedded avionics systems

Model-Driven Development (MDD) is an emerging paradigm that uses Domain-Specific Modelling Languages (DSMLs) to provide 'correct-by-construction' capabilities for many software development activities. This paper describes a MDD toolsuite called Component Synthesis using Model-Integrated Computing (CoSMIC), a collection of DSMLs that support the development, configuration, deployment, and validation of component-based DRE systems. We also describe how we have applied CoSMIC to an avionics mission computing application to resolve key component-based DRE system development challenges. Our results show that the design-, deployment- and Quality Assurance (QA)-time capabilities provided by CoSMIC help to eliminate key complexities associated with development of QoS-enabled component middleware applications.