Chapter 1. Introduction to the World of Real-Time and Embedded Systems

Real-time applications vary in ubiquity, cost, size, and performance-sensitivity from wristwatches and microwave ovens to factory automation and nuclear power plant control systems. Applying a general development methodology to the development of real-time systems requires that such a process must scale from small 4-bit and 8-bit controller-based systems up to networked arrays of powerful processors coordinating their activities to achieve a common purpose.

Real-time systems are ones in which timeliness, performance, and schedulability are essential to correctness. Model-driven approaches are a natural fit because they allow different aspects of the system structural, behavioral, functional, and quality of service to be specified, analyzed, designed, simulated, and/or executed.

Notation and Concepts Discussed:
What Is Special about Real-Time Systems	ROPES Process	Working with Models
Systems Engineering	Time, Performance, and Quality of Service
Organizing Models	Model-Based Development