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Testing-based translation validation of generated code in the context of IEC 61508

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Abstract

Production code generation with Model-Based Design has successfully replaced manual coding across various industries and application domains. Furthermore, code generated from executable graphical models is increasingly being deployed in high-integrity embedded applications.

To validate the model-to-code translation process, generated software components and its precursory stages (i.e. models) should be subjected to an appropriate combination of quality assurance measures. For high-integrity applications, compliance with safety standards such as IEC 61508 needs to be demonstrated as well.

On principle, translation validation of generated code could be carried out in the same manner as for manually written code. However, this would not leverage the advantages of Model-Based Design and w.r.t. process efficiency this would leave something to be desired. Therefore, engineering methods and tools for effective and efficient translation validation of generated code are highly desirable. As a step towards this goal, a workflow for verification and validation of models and generated code will be proposed and as far as possible mapped onto the objectives of IEC 61508-3. A cornerstone of this workflow is testing for numerical equivalence between models and generated code.

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  1. The MathWorks, Inc., 3 Apple Hill Drive, Natick, MA, 01760, USA

    Mirko Conrad

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  1. Mirko Conrad
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Correspondence to Mirko Conrad.

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Conrad, M. Testing-based translation validation of generated code in the context of IEC 61508. Form Methods Syst Des 35, 389–401 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10703-009-0082-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10703-009-0082-0