Assurance patterns for distributed real-time embedded systems

Recently, there has been a significant increase in demand for distributed real-time embedded systems (DREs). As the demand for DREs has increased, so has the complexity of these systems, thus prompting the need for more rigorous, repeatable, and cost-effective development techniques. We propose to make several contributions in the rigorous development of DREs: object analysis patterns, specification patterns, and an integrated modeling and analysis approach for the formal analysis of DRE system models. These contributions are presented collectively as assurance patterns that emphasize the analysis phase of DREs, with the intent of preventing and detecting errors in the early stages of development prior to coding and fabrication. Industrial projects play a major role in validating our techniques.