Extending the Capabilities of Component Models for Embedded Systems

Component-based development helps to improve the modularity and reusability of embedded systems. Component models devised for embedded systems are typically restricted due to the limited computing, storage and power resources of the target systems. Most existing component models for embedded systems therefore only support a static component architecture and provide a simple and lightweight core. With the increasing demand for more feature-rich embedded systems these component architectures must be extended. In order to remain useful for the development of resource-restricted embedded systems, however, the extensions must be optional. Creating such extensions requires a cost-effective development process that can produce reusable, rather than application-specific, extensions. This necessitates a systematic approach to seamlessly integrate application specific requirements of the extension, the existing component model and the constraints of the computing environment. In this paper we propose a scenario-based architectural approach to extending the capabilities of the CAmkES component model. This approach is used to distil application specific requirements and computing constraints, summarise generic scenarios, drive the extension to the core CAmkES architecture. We illustrate our approach with a case study involving the addition of dynamic capabilities to CAmkES.