Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MASTECS (Multicore Analysis Service and Tools for Embedded Critical Systems)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-12-01 al 2021-11-30
Advanced software must react to stimuli from the environment within milliseconds, needing unprecedented performance requirements that can only be achieved using advanced heterogeneous multicore processors with affordable power, energy, and space profiles Software timing analysis is a must-have element in critical system testing to show that the performance of the hardware is sufficient for supporting the timely execution of critical functions and hence maintains the required levels of safety. Complex multicore processors have disruptive effects on timing analysis and certification, as novel methods and tools are needed to support the challenge of analyzing them.
In the lack of a consolidated multicore timing analysis (MTA) solution - one of the obstacles to the use of advanced software functions in critical domains – the MASTECS project brought together the expertise of two lead technology providers and representative stakeholders in the avionics and automotive domain to consolidate and boost the commercial exploitation of an innovative approach to MTA.
MASTECS MTA provides the first industry-ready, certification-oriented timing analysis solution capable of handling the complexity of multicores, combining together industrial quality software tools and professional services.
Technological progress. MASTESC successfully steered the combined effort of the technology providers in bringing the MTA solution to TRL8 by addressing and improving tool automation, to make it more amenable to industrial application, and specifically addressing domain-specific (DO-178C, CAST 32A, ISO26262) certification and qualification requirements. MASTECS overarching result consists in a comprehensive commercial offering of highly automated analysis tools and support services for the analysis and certification of multicore embedded systems in the time critical domains. Elements in the MASTECS technology are now integrate into a uniform tool chain that favors the adoption of the MTA solution and increases user acceptance. Each tool chain element underwent as rigorous assessment form the tool qualification standpoint and has been framed into a well-defined, domain-specific certification strategy.
Commercialization and exploitation. MASTECS has successfully developed all the elements necessary for industrial penetration and commercial take up. MASTECS developed clear product definitions for all elements in the MTA tool chain, created and maintained the necessary training material for sales teams and distributors, and built and consolidated the supply chain for delivering the MTA product and services, including the creation of a spinoff company out of BSC. In its 24 months, MASTECS has successfully productized its technology, bringing five commercial products to the market: two high-level products from Rapita, and three technology products from BSC that also form the basis of the supply chain for Rapita’s products. MASTECS also set up the supply chain and delivery team necessary to support future business opportunities with extraordinary results in terms of customer engagement, generating pilot studies and commercial orders.
Dissemination and communication. MASTECS invested a tremendous effort in dissemination activities as a fundamental enabler for promoting EU scientific outreach, public awareness, building a community around the project, and spreading the project results to attract potential future commercial customers so as to maximise the exploitation potential of the results. Dissemination activities and items include industrial and academic publications, industry-oriented tutorial, focussed events, website, social media campaign, and promotional video, among others.
The potential benefits for society from automating critical functionalities are huge and include:
• safer roads, skies, and airports, preventing 90% of collisions per year.
• dramatic reduction, up to 80%, of CO2 profile of different type of vehicles.
• improved quality of life by reducing the time people spend driving or waiting for flight delays, and
• making cars and commercial flights accessible to people that would be otherwise excluded for disability/economic reasons
From the industrial perspective, implementing such functionally-rich critical features is pivotal to increase product competitive edge. MASTECS MTA enables the analysis and certification of such multicore systems deploying such functionalities and hence offers a strategic solution for the competitiveness of EU avionics/automotive industries.
From a job creation perspective, MASTECS led to the creation of more than 20 highly skill professional positions already both within the technology providers and industrial partners premises to further develop the technology and to fulfil the growing commercial demand of pilot studies and other deployments of the product