Model-Based Debugging of Embedded Software Systems

Abstract

Model Driven Development (MDD) has been slowly superseding traditional ways of developing embedded software in the recent decade. In line with the MDD, debugging Real-Time Embedded Software Systems (RTESS) and visualizing their behavior using models such as UML diagrams is becoming a reality. However, the existing MDD based debugging tools for RTESS are not applicable (require significant source code instrumentation, sophisticated debug interfaces, etc) for memorysize constrained RTESS. To address this, we discuss a modelbased debugging methodology for RTESS which aims at overcoming the aforementioned limitations. Using our approach, the target behavior can be visualized in real-time using UML sequence and timing diagrams. We illustrate our approach with a prototype and examples. Performance metrics such as the target monitor size and the instrumentation overhead are discussed.