test methodology Rapid Embedded System Testing Using Verification Patterns

A pattern approach to testing real-time embedded systems lets developers customize a set of test script templates and reuse them throughout an application’s life cycle. Testing is often difficult, and testing real-time embedded systems for mission-critical applications is particularly difficult owing to embedded design complexities and frequent requirements changes. Embedded systems usually require a series of rigorous white-box (structural), black-box (functional), module, and integration testing before developers can release them to the market. In practice, functional testing is often more important than structural testing. Similarly, integration testing is more challenging than module testing. Furthermore, functional integration testing often requires individual test scripts based on the system requirements. This process is expensive and time consuming. A simple example illustrates the cost and effort involved to test a safety-critical embedded system. Developers often specify embedded systems using scenarios, and a typical medium-size system has hundreds of thousands of scenarios. Eac