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Publication Date - 12/3/1999

59. DARPA - Model-Based Integration of Embedded Software (MoBIES)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks novel approaches to problems dealing with embedded information systems.

Weapon systems with high performance, autonomy, reliability and safety require precise, controlled, concentrated and dynamic interaction of physical processes within and among components. Embedded information processing system is an enabling technology for implementing these interactions. The presence and importance of "cross cutting" physical constraints in embedded software, such as dynamics, noise, synchronization and dependability, seriously limit the usability of current tools and methods for the composition of software systems. The MoBIES goal is to develop theory and technology for composing large embedded software applications subject to temporal, noise, synchronization and dependability constraints. MoBIES technology will enable increased practical, achievable, reusable functionality for embedded systems and should decrease life-cycle cost for embedded software by an order of magnitude.

Application domains of interest to the Department of Defense include weapon systems and embedded information systems for ground vehicles. The primary technology outcome of the effort will be Model-Based Integration technology. The key technology components to be developed are: integrated modeling techniques, integrated modeling environments and model-based generators.

Under this program, there are five research areas, four are contained in Phase I and the remainder in Phase II. Phase I research is solicited in the following technical topic areas:

(1) Multiple-view modeling of physical constraints: Includes integrated, domain-specific modeling of physical and information processes and the construction of customizable tools for building and managing interdependent modeling views;
(2) Model-based generation technology: Includes methods and tools for modeling, composing, verifying and synthesizing model-based generators with domain-specific front- end and platform/framework-specific back-end;
(3) Framework coupling and composition technology: Includes methods and tools for coupling and composing customizable frameworks; and
(4) Other innovative approaches to the MoBIES problem.

Phase II research is solicited in the following technical topic area: Open Experimental Platforms: Open experimental platforms include physical system and software components, related challenge problems and integration experiments that will be used for the affordable evaluation and demonstration of MoBIES technologies.

Proposers must submit a proposal abstractby DECEMBER 14, 1999. Full proposals are due JANUARY 31, 2000.