Broker-Based Consistency for Design Models and Tests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient method to ensure consistency between design models, interface specifications, and tests, leading to potential inconsistencies and errors during model changes.
Innovation Solution
A broker system is introduced to automatically maintain consistency by constructing and updating interface specifications and tests in an atomic transaction, ensuring that changes to the design model are reflected in the interface specification and tests, and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual updates are used to synchronize design models, interface specifications, and tests, then flexibility in individual component modification is maintained, but inconsistencies and errors occur during model changes
Solution Approach 1:
A broker component is introduced as an intermediary that automatically manages synchronization between the design model, interface specification, and tests. The broker intercepts change requests, determines the appropriate updates needed across all components, and executes them atomically, eliminating manual synchronization efforts and ensuring consistency without requiring complex manual coordination procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the proposed change to the design model before execution. The broker determines in advance what updates are needed in the interface specification and tests, preparing the complete set of changes as an atomic transaction package. This preliminary determination ensures that all components are updated consistently together, preventing inconsistency errors
2Reliability
If automatic consistency maintenance is implemented through a broker system, then consistency between design model, interface specification, and tests is guaranteed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broker system operates autonomously to maintain consistency without requiring external intervention or complex manual coordination. When a change is proposed to any component, the broker automatically analyzes the impact, determines the necessary updates, and executes them as an atomic transaction. This self-service capability ensures consistency while managing complexity through automation rather than manual procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The broker consolidates the synchronization management function into a single integrated component that handles updates to the design model, interface specification, and tests together. By merging these previously separate management tasks into one atomic operation controlled by the broker, the system guarantees consistency while managing complexity through unified control rather than multiple independent mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method automatically ensures consistency among a design model, an interface specification and one or more tests that test the design model. The system may include a broker adapted to construct the interface specification. The interface specification identifies the interface of the design model, e.g., its external inputs, external outputs, and initialization settings. It may also identify the outputs, inputs, and initialization setting objects of the tests. Proposed changes to any one of the design model's interface, the interface specification and the interfaces of the tests may be captured by the broker, and applied to the other two.