Model-based engineering for the development of ARINC653 architectures

The concept of partitioned kernel, introduced by the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) architecture comes with new challenges (isolation enforcement, partitioning trade-off, etc.) that must be addressed during the design and the implementation of partitioned architectures. However, the development process frequently consists in handwriting code, which makes difficult the analysis of the system. Such a development process does not ease the design of high-integrity systems. Model Based Engineering describes architecture and application requirements with models. Models can be then used to ensure requirements enforcement or produce code, ensuring that requirements are enforced inside the implementation. In this paper, we claim the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) as a valuable candidate to support a Model-Based method for the design and the implementation of ARINC653 systems. Using the AADL as a backbone language, we model such architectures using first-class citizen AADL constructs (virtual processors and buses) and detail their validation. We present our code generator that automatically assembles, configures and deploys application code from AADL models. We also discuss the efficiency of a model-based approach in the design of certifiable systems and explain how it helps the system integrator to certify its system.