Embedded Computer System Requirements Workshop

Developing embedded computer systems requires extensive requirements analysis, support methodologies, and software tools. A Naval Research Laboratory workshop provided theforum for identifying specific recommendations and areas where standards could be developed. The complexity of modern embedded computer systems such as those that are integral parts of spacecraft systems, advanced military weapon systems, command and control systems, robots, industrial control systems, and medical systems is increasing steadily. The cost associated with imprecisely specifying embedded computer system requirements has led engineers to the realization that the process of developing such requirements is not thoroughly understood. A workshop sponsored by Grumman Aerospace Corporation and the Naval Research Laboratory was held atNRL in Washington, DC, November 27-29, 1984, to address problems associated with the requirements specification process. Workshop participants included representatives from private companies, universities, and military agencies, who work extensively in the area of system and software requirements analysis and in the development of methodologies and tools. There was general agreement among them that there are specific problems crucial to embedded computer system requirements analysis and documentation, which are usually not addressed in current methods and standards. This report summarizes the problems and describes recommendations for improvement to system and software standards and to computerized tools supporting the requirements process. Crucial problems