Integrating model-based formal timing analysis in the industrial development process of satellite on-board software

Abstract

As a consequence of the increasing complexity of modern real-time applications, the need for an efficient, reliable and automated performance estimation method throughout the whole development cycle becomes essential. Model-based formal timing analysis appears at first sight to be the adequate candidate for this purpose. However, its use in the industry is conditioned by a smooth and seamless integration in the development process. This is not an easy task due to the semantic mismatches between the design and timing analysis models but also due to the missing links to the testing phase after code implementation. In this paper, we present a model-based timing analysis framework we developed in the industrial context of satellite on-board software. The framework enables overcoming the above mentioned problems, thus allowing a fully integration and automation of model-based timing verification activities in the development process, as a mean to shorten the design time and reduce risks of timing failures.