Deriving Specification for Process-Control Systems: A Problem Frames Approach

Process-control systems are usually real time and embedded within the larger environment. Controllers are required to ensure desired environment properties through performing ongoing control behavior at the interface with sensors and actuators. However, the environment is heterogeneous and informal, which poses special challenge to develop complete and safe specification. Problem Frames are a rigor requirements analysis approach for software problems and emphasize the fundamental role of environment in capturing of specification. In this paper, we contribute to exploring the application of Problem Frames approach for specifying process-control system requirements. The process is an integration of problem progression and consideration of frame concern, reliability concern, overrun concern and other concerns with coordinating the nature of process-control systems. The outcome displays the applicability of PFs to process-control system specification.