Model-to-Metamodel Transformation for the Development of Component-Based Systems

Embedded systems are a potential application area for component-based development approaches. They can be assembled from multiple generic components that can either be application components used to realize the application logic or hardware components to provide low level hardware access. The glue code to connect these components is typically implemented using middleware or run-time systems. Nowadays great parts of the system are automatically generated and configured according to application needs by using model driven software development tools. In a model driven development process, three different kinds of developers can be identified: run-time system experts, component developers and application developers. This paper presents a multi-phase approach, which is suited to support all of these experts in an optimal way. Key idea is a multi-phase development process based on model-to-metamodel transformations connecting the different phases. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated in the context of distributed sensor / actuator systems.