A dependable distribution-transparent remote method invocation model for object-oriented distributed embedded computer systems

Decreasing hardware costs is permitting the increased use of embedded computers to support complex and sophisticated applications in a variety of products. Many of these applications require computing nodes distributed in different physical locations interconnected by communication networks. The object oriented model with its well known properties that facilitate the design of complex software applications is a natural choice for designing distributed embedded system applications. Existing models that support remote method invocation (RMI) in object oriented distributed computer systems are more tailored towards general distributed computer systems rather than embedded systems. Moreover, efficient implementations of these RMI models are rare at this time. We analyze predominant RMI models with respect to essential features for embedded applications such as timeliness and fault handling capability. Based on this analysis, we propose the Distributed Embedded Object Model (DEOM), dependable, distribution-transparent RMI model to support the execution of distributed embedded system applications.