An SDL Framework for X-ray Spectrometer Software

It often makes sense to invest in reusable software structures and components, if several related control systems are to be developed. This paper describes an SDL (Specification and Description Language) pattern and framework for the design of scientific on-board X-ray spectrometer control software. The framework includes reusable SDL components for a family of spectrometer controllers. The components are to be found at different hierarchy levels of SDL specifications. The SDL pattern supports the designing of a centralised control architecture of SDL models in the framework. The utilisation of general design patterns in the construction and reuse of the framework is discussed, as well as the CASE tool support and the applicability of the object-oriented features of SDL in the construction of the framework.