A unified software architecture for embedded systems

This paper presents an original integrated architecture for embedded control system design. The proposed unified architecture is presented in terms of a software framework for inputs outputs (I/Os) and communication layer management. The main advantages of using, in this context, an object-oriented approach are shown in terms of modularity, flexibility and expandability. This software architecture allows the easy integration of numerous and heterogeneous components (I/Os devices, several communication supports) and the management of a great part of the complexity inherited from this diversity. An application example developed in the automotive research field and more precisely in the intelligent transportation field illustrates the implementation facilities obtained with this approach. It concerns the "navigation aided intelligent cruise control" (NAICC) project whose aim is to assist the driver of a motor vehicle especially during curve negotiations. This paper describes the instrumented test vehicle dedicated to this project and the corresponding object-oriented architecture implemented to manage the whole equipment. Finally, it gives experimental results (obtained with this vehicle in real conditions) on the NAICC location-based intelligent speed control.