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The Use of a Virtual System Simulator & Executable Specifications
Point of Contact Ted Bennett
ted.bennett@triakis.com
Dates October 2002 - September 2003
Problem Triakis has created a simulation tool called IcoSim that has proven to be extremely thorough at facilitating avionics systems and software design, validation, verification and certification. Through repeated application of IcoSim on avionics developme nt projects, Triakis has conceived a new approach to the avionics development process based on the creation, simulation and V&V of executable specifications (ES's).

ES's are currently being studied as a means of reducing errors in defining requirements and communicating them to the team responsible for implementing designs. An IcoSim ES unambiguously describes the functional performance of the system element that it simulates, and forms the functional requirements specification for detailed design. A HW design is simulated for each ES with sufficient fidelity to execute the SW object code developed to implement the specified requirements. The simulated HW running the SW object code, referred to as a detailed executable (DE), is plug-in compatible with the ES allowing the SW to be developed and tested in the same system environment in which the ES was developed, using the same system-level test scripts. Triakis' ES concept is described in greater detail in a white paper included as attachment II.

To date Triakis has developed its concept of the ES and tested elements of it on various avionics development projects but has yet to validate these ideas in a complete and comprehensive manner. The objective of our research is to test the validity of ou r ideas described in attachment II, on a small but non-trivial system and SW project from start to finish. We will explore the viability and benefits of using this development approach as it relates to systems and SW IV&V, quality, testability and reliability. We will also explore how the V&V process in the ES simulation environment uncovers functional deficiencies in both the SW and the system implementation, directing the creation of additional tests and/or design changes.
Objective Triakis proposes to create a condensed but functional simulation of a robotic arm similar to that used on the space shuttle. This project was selected because it is a sufficiently complex system on which to test our ideas, with enough sub-components alre ady simulated that the effort is achievable within planned budget and schedule constraints. The planned simulator will comprise multiple system elements with a minimum of 2 computerized subsystems. Each computerized subsystem will be developed into a full ES for which a full set of test scripts will be created to V&V the design at the system-level. We will select 1 ES from which a DE will be produced in order to study our concepts presented in attachment II. Triakis will explore the merits of testing SW in a complex system through substitution of the DE in place of the ES at the system level to improve the V&V process and resulting SW quality.
Results Introductory Briefing - The Use of a Virtual System Simulator & Executable Specifications to Enhance SW Validation, Verification, and Safety Assurance.ppt
SARP-I583-000 PTDD Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-001 Sys Req Spec - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-002 Simulator Req Spec - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-101 Sys Design Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-102 SW Design Reqs - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-103 ES Implementation Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-201 HW Design Doc rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-202 SW Design Doc - rev-a.pdf
SARP-I583-203 DE Implementation Doc - rel-b.pdf
SARP-I583-204 Ancillary Simulator Parts Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-205 System Test Design Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP-I583-301 Simulator Test Doc - rel-b.pdf
SARP-I583-302 System Test Doc - rel-a.pdf
SARP I583 SW&Sim files .zip
SARP-I583 Final Report-a.pdf
Keywords software design, software requirements, mission critical software, software assurance
Categories Dynamic Analysis
Test Analysis