Mike Walston, a Software Consultant at Entrance, has published a paper in the Journal of Systems Architecture: Embedded Software Design (SCIE), describing a linear real time logic verification system that he developed while attending the University of Houston. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has invited him to speak at their Real Time Systems Symposium in South Korea, and Entrance will be sending him to the conference to represent our team as an expert in real time systems.
Linear Real Time Logic
On Monday, August 20th, Mike will present his contributions to “Timing Analysis of Small Aircraft Transportation Systems”. The software he wrote about verifies a mathematical theory that supports a NASA protocol for airplane safety regulations at small airports. SATS, the Small Aircraft Transportation Systems, will improve landing efficiencies at smaller airports while taking all safety requirements into account. The system he wrote is extremely impactful, because of its verification of a set of regulations that will keep people safe.
Real Time Logic (RTL) and Path Real Time Logic
Real Time Logic is a method of determining whether all of your requirements in a system are met, or if there are any possible scenarios where you would miss a deadline. RTL relies on very simple and straightforward formulas. But that simplicity is also it’s limitation. “X event has to be less than or greater than Y seconds.” Path Real Time Logic is graph based, and a little bit more powerful than regular RTL. Path RTL allows you to find loops and extra functionalities that are not covered by basic RTL.
Linear Real Time Logic
Linear RTL allows you to make a matrix of all of your specifications and safety assertions. The addition of matrices means that even very complicated specifications can have operations performed on them. If you have a complicated matrix that is multiplied by the right vectors and other inputs, then the system will not only let you know whether your system is safe; it will also notify you of points where there are exceptions that might indicate danger. Having a system based on Linear Real Time Logic means that it is much easier to tweak your safety assertions based on the feedback generated by the system about which areas are still non-compliant. It allows for real thought into the specifications that are driving the compliant or non-compliant results, where if an item is noted as out of compliance the user can then think about whether they need a looser deadline or stricter specifications. This allows for more complex thought behind the system in place, rather than limiting it.
“People normally think of Real Time Logic systems in a processor mind-set, like in embedded watches or car brakes, where consistency is key and absolutely 100% of the cases need to occur the same.” Walston posits, “But the system we’ve created provides the nuance necessary to cover unique scenarios that are outliers. From a mathematical point of view, it’s the same, but in this implementation we’re able to account for a higher quality assurance necessary to cover situations where people’s lives are on the line.”
Software Rewrite
Mike’s software was originally meant to be an update on the software that had been created, but after looking at what he had to work with, he realized that it would be more structurally sound and actually take less time to go ahead and rewrite the system from scratch. Because of the critical nature of the results gained from the software, which should notify that there are instances in the system where safety regulations are not met, it was important to ensure absolute quality and reliability. Further, Mike’s code allows the system to consider more than one possible answer, whereas before if there was more than one result, the entire software system would grind to a halt and produce no results rather than the critical notifications it was meant to provide.
Going to Korea!
Mike will spend just over a week in Korea, and as it is his first time there, he’s excited about the cultural and technological aspects of the country. He plans to take time to visit palaces and temples in areas outside of Seoul, and is interested in the archaeological history there. He will also visit Samsung City and other technology centers during his visit, because Korea is known for its investment in technology as a driver for economic growth. And, like a true Entrance employee, he’s a true foodie, and looks forward to experiencing the local cuisine.