Extending the MaSE methodology for the development of embedded real-time systems

Abstract

Embedded real-time systems play an important role in various application areas like plant automation, product automation or car electronics. In recent years, a considerable growth in the functionality has been observed. At the same time, expectations on systems' flexibility at runtime are growing steadily. The agent-oriented software engineering approach is well suited for the development of decentralised, complex software systems with high flexibility. A number of software engineering methodologies have been introduced for developing agent-oriented systems. However, none of the existing methodologies is intended for the development of embedded real-time systems. This work presents concepts that extend the Multi-agent Systems Engineering (MaSE) methodology for the development of agent-oriented embedded real-time systems. The proposed concepts have been integrated in the traditional engineering process of MasE and evaluated by applying the extended process to the development of a flexible agent-oriented embedded system for the control of an elevator model. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.