From embedded to cyber-physical systems: Challenges and future directions

Abstract

Embedded systems can be seen as the first generation of a wider class of cyber-physical systems that integrate possibly large numbers of computing platforms in physical environments. Given the significant challenges facing the developers of such systems, we briefly review the state of the art in collaborative modelling and co-simulation technology for embedded systems design, and identify advances needed on the way to scaling this technology to the cyber-physical level. We consider the role of co-modelling in the design flow for cyber-physical systems and the generalisation of co-models to networks of constituent models of cyber and physical elements, the need for open co-simulation in order to support greater heterogeneity among constituent models, and the features needed to describe ubiquitous systems.