All Systems Go with Model-Based Design for Embedded Software

Although computer programs, software, and applications appear on your screen in a flash, their development takes a bit longer than that. From software requirements and coding to compliance with industry-wide standards and certification, software development has multiple stages, and one primary challenge is to avoid rewriting essential software descriptions and specifications while transferring code from one phase to another along the way.

Manual, traditional coding is not only time consuming, but also costly and vulnerable to inaccuracies, risk, and overall inadequacy. Consequently, there are numerous verification and validation methods in place to monitor and detect errors. However, this creates another challenge for system engineers, embedded programmers, and other technology professionals who work with code throughout the software development process.

Ansys SCADE Suite, a model-based development environment for reliable embedded software, provides an end-to-end solution for all of this and more through an all-in-one platform equipped with traceability, automated code generation, and real-time testing tools. Deeply rooted in model-based systems engineering (MBSE), the platform provides an all-encompassing environment for the design, analysis, simulation, and verification of the most complex systems.

From aircraft engine control systems and cockpit displays to automatic train operation and emergency braking systems, SCADE is an all-inclusive tool that can help you design the most advanced software to operate the most sophisticated systems within planes, trains, automobiles, and beyond.

Intuitive, One-Stop Shop for Model-Based Systems Engineering

Similar to the intuitive nature of a virtual assistant, when it comes to code and embedded programming, SCADE knows what you need, when you need it, and how to get it to you as soon as possible.

With a built-in certified automatic code generator that complies with various standards such as the Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) 661 for cockpit display systems, DO-178C up to Level A for commercial software-based aerospace systems, and the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Technical Standard (which focuses on embedded military avionics applications), you can soar over typical hurdles with a qualified tool in hand.

Further, with simulations based on generated code, you have a robust visual debugging environment at your fingertips, complete with breakpoints and watchpoints to examine internal variables and output values. Just a few of SCADE’s debugging capabilities include scenario recording and playback, early detection of specification errors, and automatic non-regression tests.

Additionally, the software’s Design Verifier tool provides a verification assistant to assess safety requirements and help detect bugs earlier in development. As another advantage, you can customize and add specific checks using a Python-based framework with the Rule Checker tool.

By tying architecture and design capabilities within one MBSE platform, SCADE offers a fully integrated system through a holistic and modular approach using code that is simple, deterministic, and efficient. Automated code generation not only reduces human error, but also reduces your development time and costs. It also optimizes your resources in relation to memory and execution, which further increases these savings.

For example, SCADE supports, simplifies, and optimizes an automated production and verification workload. Traditionally, the production and verification stage can account for up to 80% of a development budget.

Trace Your Steps — It’s Critical

When choosing a software for critical applications, it’s fair to say that traceability is pretty critical. The concept is simple. When we can trace, track, or monitor our code, documentation, and scripting, we can more easily go back to its source when needed. And it is needed: Whether you are still in development or have reached the testing phase, being able to swiftly revisit a line of code from any point in your project can save time and prevent late-stage design errors.

Coupled with its traceability, SCADE is highly interoperable and can easily integrate into existing development flows for optimization while increasing communication among team members.

The platform also presents different levels of modeling in a user-friendly manner to suit your needs during any stage of development, which comes in handy especially because of SCADE’s automatic code generation feature.

Because the code generator fulfills the specifications of a model without the need for code verification, it is crucial to verify that the model’s behavior is correct. SCADE is equipped for this with multiple model-level analyses to verify model correctness at any stage, including the ability to perform static analyses.

To visualize your development further, the software’s Advanced Modeler feature includes Ansys Twin Builder to help you build comprehensive virtual prototypes of your product by blending hardware and software in one environment.

From start to finish, SCADE offers you a digital thread that simplifies and streamlines the entire development cycle, meeting and exceeding all of your embedded software development needs.

To learn more, register for a free trial of Ansys SCADE Suite today. For aspiring engineers, download Ansys SCADE Student for free here.