single-source design approach based on UML-MARTE

The GESE group of the University of Cantabria has years of experience on teaching and research of electronic and system-level design languages. Along recent years, as a result of its collaborative research with other European research groups and relevant industry, the group has developped a modelling and design methodology supporting key aspects for the raise of productivity required for embedded system design. A distinctive aspect of the modelling&design methodology is that it is centered on a single model of the system which captures all the information relevant for the design. The model relies on the UML standard language and on standard profiles, like MARTE, which leverages portability and understandibility. The modelling methodology to capture relevant information for system-level design analysis, e.g. the application architecture, the platform architecture, and extra-functional properties. The modelling methodology enables also the capture of information required for system-level design activities, performance requirements, DSE parameters, and criticalities. As a result, a single model of the system serves for ensuring the consistency of the set of analysis, design decisions and implementation actions performed from the model. The system-level desing activities cover functional validation, schedulability analysis, performance analysis, and design space exploration. These activities are automated through a model-driven design framework developed around and starting from the aforementioned modelling methodology.