Collaborative Research: EHS: Components and Aspects for Embedded Middleware

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Hsieh-Klefstad Abstract---------This research project is developing new software engineering principles,techniques, and programming technology based on an improved understandingof how crosscutting concerns, such as real-time behavior and memoryconstraints, interact and can be modularized within embedded middleware.This project investigates how a combined component-based andaspect-oriented software engineering approach can advance the developmentof embedded applications and middleware. Experience with existingmiddleware for distributed, real-time, and embedded (DRE) systems hasillustrated both the benefits and the limits of implementingconfigurability through previous approaches to components and aspects.The research goal is to achieve expressive power through anintegration of components and aspects. The new model supports aspectdefinition and application at the component level: aspects are constructedthrough new compositional forms, and conversely, aspects introducefunctionality at the level of component definitions and interconnections.Real-time predictability constraints are addressed through the model'ssupport for real-time Java: components and aspects adapt to real-timeconcerns according to their contexts. The model allows developers tomanage complexity in new ways: by allowing flexible middlewareconfiguration; by supporting both component-like encapsulation andcontrolled exposure to aspects; and by providing sound type checking ofmiddleware configurations. The new techniques are being validated throughthe development of new, modular, and highly configurable DRE middlewarefor real-time Java. The knowledge that comes from this research willdrive progress in embedded systems development and enable more effectivetechniques for modularizing concerns across application and middlewareboundaries. The project's technology is expected to be particularly useful for designing and building embedded and real-time software systems, as well as softwaresystems in general. Both component systems and middleware have becomepopular commercially; this technology should enable and demonstrate the evolution of future component systems and middleware.