Reconciling run-time evolution and resource-constrained embedded systems through a component-based development framework

This paper deals with the evolution of embedded systems software at run-time. To accomplish such software evolution activities in resource-constrained embedded systems, we propose a component-based, execution time evolution infrastructure, that reconciles richness of evolution alternatives and performance requirements. The proposition is based on fine-grained optimization of embedded components, and on off-site component reifications called mirrors, which are representations of components that allow us to treat evolution concerns remotely and hence to reduce the memory footprint. An evaluation on a real-world evolution scenario shows the efficiency and relevance of our approach.

► Component-based software development models are used to ease evolution activities of resource-constrained embedded systems.
► Evolution infrastructures for embedded systems are optimized according to evolution needs in a by-entity basis.
► A reification concept is introduced and used to build evolution infrastructures.