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Model-based design verification for embedded systems through SVOCL: an OCL extension for SystemVerilog

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Abstract

Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) is a renowned approach in the context of embedded systems development. It is frequently used to deal with the structural and behavioral aspects of system design. However, the verification of system design is generally performed in isolation. It is particularly true in the context of assertion based verification. Consequently, there is a huge gap between system design and its verification that seriously effects the productivity and time-to market objectives. Therefore, in this research, we target to reduce this gap by exploiting the features of MBSE and SystemVerilog assertions (SVA’s). This article introduces a novel MBSE approach to model the design verification aspects of embedded systems, along with the system design (structural and behavioral aspects). We propose SystemVerilog in Object Constraint Language (SVOCL), an OCL temporal extension for SystemVerilog, to represent the design verification requirements by means of SVA’s. As a part of research, SVOCL transformation engine has been developed to generate SVA’s code in order to automate the design verification of embedded systems. The application of SVOCL has been validated through four case studies.

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Notes

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Acknowledgements

This project is funded by NSTIP (National Science Technology, Innovative Plan), Saudi Arabia under the Technology Area “Information Technology Strategic Priorities” and Track “Software Engineering and Innovated Systems”. We acknowledge the support of KACST (King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology) and STU (Science and Technology Unit) Makkah.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Engineering, CEME, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Waseem Anwar & Farooque Azam

  2. Computer Engineering Department, College of Computer and Information Systems, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad Rashid

  3. Science and Technology Unit, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad Kashif

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  1. Muhammad Waseem Anwar
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Correspondence to Muhammad Waseem Anwar.

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Anwar, M.W., Rashid, M., Azam, F. et al. Model-based design verification for embedded systems through SVOCL: an OCL extension for SystemVerilog. Des Autom Embed Syst 21, 1–36 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10617-017-9182-z

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