Automatic instantiation of abstract tests on specific configurations for large critical control systems

摘要

Computer-based control systems have grown in size, complexity, distributionand criticality. In this paper a methodology is presented to perform anabstract testing of such large control systems in an efficient way: an abstracttest is specified directly from system functional requirements and has to beinstantiated in more test runs to cover a specific configuration, comprisingany number of control entities (sensors, actuators and logic processes). Such aprocess is usually performed by hand for each installation of the controlsystem, requiring a considerable time effort and being an error proneverification activity. To automate a safe passage from abstract tests, relatedto the so called generic software application, to any specific installation, analgorithm is provided, starting from a reference architecture and a state-basedbehavioural model of the control software. The presented approach has beenapplied to a railway interlocking system, demonstrating its feasibility andeffectiveness in several years of testing experience.