ProSA-RAES: subsidies to the establishment of reference architectures for embedded systems

Abstract

Software architectures have had a fundamental role to the determination of software quality. In particular, reference architecture is a special type of software architecture that can be considered as repositories of the domain knowledge. These architectures have promoted reuse of such knowledge in order to develop and evolve systems of that domain. In parallel, embedded systems have become an integrated, essential part of the daily activities in the current society. These systems have become more and more complex; besides that, their quality is considered a fundamental requirement. In this context, a diversity of reference architectures for embedded systems have been proposed and used; therefore, the quality of such architectures also becomes essential. However, there is a lack of research that systematizes the building and evaluation of these architectures. Thus, the main objective of this project is to establish a process to the building of reference architectures for embedded systems, as well as a method to the evaluation of these architectures. Aiming at having evidences about the viability of both process and method proposed, we intend to conduct case studies. In order to analyze the results of the case studies, qualitative analysis based on data collection techniques will be conducted. As results of this project, we intend to contribute to the Software Architecture area, providing a process to the establishment and evaluation of reference architectures for embedded systems. We also intend to contribute to the Embedded System area, establishing reference architectures for such area. (AU)