A component-based approach for embedded software development

The rapid growth in the demand of embedded systems and the increased complexity of embedded software pose an urgent need for advanced embedded software development techniques. Software technology is shifting toward semi-automated code generation and integration of systems from components. Component-based development (CBD) techniques can significantly reduce the time and cost for developing software systems. However, there are some difficult problems with the CBD approach. Component identification and retrieval as well as component composition require extensive knowledge of the components. Designers need to go through a steep learning curve in order to effectively compose a system out of available components. We discuss an integrated mechanism for component-based development of embedded software. We develop an On-line Repository for Embedded Software (ORES) to facilitate component management and retrieval. ORES uses an ontology-based approach to facilitate repository browsing and effective search. Based on ORES, we develop the code template approach to facilitate semi-automated component composition. A code template can be instantiated by different sets of components and, thus, offers more flexibility and configurability and better reuse. Another important aspect in embedded software is the nonfunctional requirements and properties. In ORES, we capture nonfunctional properties of components and provide facilities for the analysis of overall system properties.