Design level debugging of timing behavior in embedded systems: Using a model-based approach

A robust model-based debugging and testing technique integrated with the Model Driven Development (MDD) approach for memory size constrained, real-time critical embedded target systems is still in its nascent stages. This is especially true for the industry standard MDD-based tools. In addition, a model-based debugging technique or tool chain based on the newly introduced timing diagrams in UML 2.x is not yet available. In this paper, we discuss a model-based, design-level debugging approach with which the timing behavior of embedded targets is visualized with the aid of UML timing diagrams on the host side, in real-time. The proposed approach is suitable for memory size constrained, real-time embedded target systems as the overhead introduced is negligible, constant and known beforehand. Hence, the end-user has the option to include the overhead in the system design phase, thereby making use of a model-based debug solution and at the same time adhering to temporal constraints. A prototype implementation of the proposed approach is discussed and an illustrative example is presented.