Abstract
The Dynamic Flowgraph Methodology (DFM) is an integrated methodological approach to modeling and analyzing the behavior of software-driven embedded systems for the purpose of dependability assessment and verification. The methodology has two fundamental goals: 1) to identify how events can occur in a system; and 2) to identify an appropriate testing strategy based on an analysis of system functional behavior. To achieve these goals, the methodology employs a modeling framework in which models expressing the logic of the system being analyzed are developed in terms of causal relationships between physical variables and temporal characteristics of the execution of software modules. These models are then analyzed to determined how a certain state (desirable or undesirable) can be reached. This is done by developing timed fault trees which take the form of logical combinations of static trees relating the system parameters at different points in time. The resulting information concerning the hardware and software states that can lead to certain events of interest can then be used to increase confidence in the system, eliminate unsafe execution paths, and identify testing criteria for safety critical software functions.
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Garrett, C., Yau, M., Guarro, S., Apostolakis, G. (1995). Assessing the Dependability of Embedded Software Systems Using the Dynamic Flowgraph Methodology. In: Cristian, F., Le Lann, G., Lunt, T. (eds) Dependable Computing for Critical Applications 4. Dependable Computing and Fault-Tolerant Systems, vol 9. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9396-9_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9396-9_13
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