A prototyping technique with an asynchronous specification language

Abstract

This paper presents principles of a rapid prototyping technique aimed at software design for embedded distributed systems. It introduces the principles of a local time concept supporting real-time distributed systems specifications: the developed local-time model stems both from counting asynchronous events and from modelling a physical generator of periodic events. The asynchronous specification language stemming from that model respects local timing in individual nodes while communication proceeds by message passing. The rapid prototyping makes use of (1) attribute grammars for language constructs specification and (2) textual macroprocessors or Prolog definite clause grammars for low-cost implementation. Executable specifications are supported by prototyping hardware components, real-time executives, and communication tasks.