Model-driven architecture-centric engineering of (embedded) software intensive systems: Modeling theories and architectural milestones

Today, in general, embedded software is distributed onto networks and structured into logical components that interact asynchronously by exchanging messages. The software system is connected to sensors, actuators, human machine interfaces and networks. In this paper we study fundamental models of composed embedded software systems and their properties, identify and describe various basic views, and show how they are related. We consider, in particular, models of data, states, interfaces, functionality, hierarchically composed systems, and processes. We study relationships by abstraction and refinement as well as forms of composition and modularity. In particular, we introduce a comprehensive mathematical model and a corresponding mathematical theory for composed systems, its essential views and their relationships. We introduce two methodologically essential, complementary and orthogonal concepts for the structured modeling of multifunctional embedded systems in software and systems engineering and their scientific foundation. One approach addresses mainly tasks in requirements engineering and the specification of the comprehensive user functionality of multifunctional systems in terms of their functions, features and services. The other approach essentially addresses the design phase with its task to develop logical architectures formed by networks of interactive components that are specified by their interface behavior.