Collaborative Research: EHS: Components and Aspects for Embedded Middleware

Hsieh-Klefstad Abstract---------该研究项目基于对横切关注点（如实时行为和内存约束）如何交互以及如何在嵌入式中间件中模块化的改进理解，开发新的软件工程原理、技术和编程技术。这个项目研究了基于组件和面向方面的软件工程方法如何促进嵌入式应用程序和中间件的开发。对分布式、实时和嵌入式（DRE）系统的现有中间件的经验已经说明了通过以前的组件和方面的方法实现可配置性的好处和限制。研究目标是通过组件和方面的整合来实现表达能力。新模型支持组件级别的方面定义和应用：方面通过新的组合形式构建，相反，方面在组件定义和互连级别引入功能。实时可预测性约束是通过模型对实时Java的支持来解决的：组件和方面根据其上下文适应实时关注点。该模型允许开发人员以新的方式管理复杂性：通过允许灵活的中间件配置；通过支持类似组件的封装和对方面的受控公开；并通过提供中间件配置的可靠类型检查。这些新技术正在通过开发新的、模块化的、高度可配置的实时Java DRE中间件得到验证。来自本研究的知识将推动嵌入式系统开发的进步，并使跨应用程序和中间件边界的模块化关注成为可能。该项目的技术预计将在设计和构建嵌入式和实时软件系统以及一般软件系统方面特别有用。组件系统和中间件在商业上都很流行；该技术应该支持并演示未来组件系统和中间件的发展。

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.