Predictable Assembly of Substation Automation Systems: An Experiment Report

Scott A. Hissam, Software Engineering Institute
John Hudak, Software Engineering Institute
James Ivers, Software Engineering Institute
Mark H. Klein, Software Engineering Institute
Magnus Larsson, Software Engineering Institute
Gabriel A. Moreno, Software Engineering Institute
Linda M. Northrop, Software Engineering Institute
Daniel Plakosh, Software Engineering Institute
Judith Stafford, Software Engineering Institute
Kurt C. Wallnau, Software Engineering Institute
William G. Wood, Software Engineering Institute

Abstract

The Predictable Assembly from Certifiable Components (PACC) Initiative at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is developing methods and technologies for predictable assembly. A software development activity that builds systems from components is predictable if the runtime behavior of an assembly of components can be predicted from known properties of components and their patterns of interactions (connections), and if these predictions can be objectively validated. A component is certifiable if these known properties can be obtained or validated by independent third parties. The SEI's technical approach to PACC rests on prediction-enabled component technology (PECT). At the highest level, PECT is a scheme for systematic and repeatable integration of software component technology, software architecture technology, and design analysis and verification technology. This report describes the results of an exploratory PECT prototype for substation automation, an application area in the domain of power generation, transmission, and management. This report focuses primarily on the methodological aspects of PECT; the prototype itself was only a means to expose and illustrate the PECT method.