Automatic instantiation of abstract tests on specific configurations for large critical control systems

• Computer-based control systems have grown in size, complexity, distribution and criticality. In this paper a methodology is presented to perform an 'abstract testing' of such large control systems in an efficient way: an abstract test is specified directly from system functional requirements and has to be instantiated in more test runs to cover a specific configuration, comprising any number of control entities (sensors, actuators and logic processes). Such a process is usually performed by hand for each installation of the control system, requiring a considerable time effort and being an error-prone verification activity. To automate a safe passage from abstract tests, related to the so-called generic software application, to any specific installation, an algorithm is provided, starting from a reference architecture and a statebased behavioural model of the control software. The presented approach has been applied to a railway interlocking system, demonstrating its feasibility and effectiveness in several years of testing experience. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Inbäddad systemteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Embedded Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Configuration coverage

Dependability

Functional testing

Railway interlocking

Behavioural model

Control software

Critical control systems

Error prones

Functional requirement

Generic softwares

Logic process

Railway interlocking system

Reference architecture

State-based

Test runs

Verification activities

Abstracting

Computer software

Control theory

Interlocking signals

Railroads

Software architecture

Computer control systems

Software Technology

Programvaruteknik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)