COTS-based architectural framework for reliable real-time control applications in manufacturing

Abstract

The challenge of keeping the development and implementation of real-time control systems reliable and efficient and at the same time, low-cost and low-energy, is getting harder. This is because system designers and developers are faced with the dependability, inflexibility and often high-cost of specialized or custom-built hardware and software components. This research attempts to tackle issues such as the reliability and efficiency of real-time control systems and advance further the current state-of-the-art. For this purpose, a strong emphasis is placed on finding novel efficient solutions based on standardized and commercially available off-the-shelf hardware/software components. In this direction, this research applies credible and feasible methodologies (e.g., model-based design, component-based design, formal verification, real-time scheduling, prototyping, and validation) in an innovative enhanced way. As an important outcome, a versatile integrative design approach and architectural framework (VIDAF) is proposed, which supports the development and implementation of reliable real-time control systems and applications using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The feasibility and applicability of the proposed system's architecture are evaluated and validated through a system application in embedded real-time control in manufacturing. The research outcomes are expected to have a positive impact on emerging areas such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).