|
The goal of this focus topic is to advance the patterns literature for
distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems, with special
attention both toward identifying new patterns relevant to the DRE
domain, and toward deepening our understanding of how pattern
languages can reveal and exploit relationships and interconnections
between the individual DRE system patterns. First, we solicit papers
that document newly identified patterns in areas related to DRE
systems, such as distributed protocols and algorithms, real-time
resource management, and small memory footprint. Second, we encourage
papers that describe pattern languages for applying patterns to
generate designs in the DRE systems domain. Finally, we strongly
encourage papers describing design patterns and especially pattern
languages that cross traditional architectural, domain, or other
system boundaries, and thus connect the DRE systems domain with the
larger contexts in which DRE systems are increasingly being designed,
developed, and deployed.
In response to a steadily growing demand for embedded devices,
embedded systems are becoming increasingly prevalent. As embedded
systems proliferate they are increasingly interconnected, leading to
significant interest in the design and optimization of systems of
networked embedded systems. Furthermore, as the capabilities of these
kinds of systems become more evident and visible, increasing
requirements for real-time behavior, security, certification,
fault-tolerance, and other extra-functional quality-of-service (QoS)
properties are being placed on DRE systems.
In addition to traditional DRE domains such as aerospace and defense,
key commercial domains such as telecom, automotive, and process
automation are increasingly involved with developing, deploying, and
managing DRE systems. Traditionally, custom development of embedded
hardware and software was used to meet key system constraints,
especially for extra-functional system properties. However, due to
demands for reductions in both system cost and upgrade cycles,
proprietary embedded hardware and software is largely being replaced
with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) elements.
Unfortunately, using COTS elements alone is insufficient to address
the complexity of designing DRE systems that both exhibit high
fidelity to QoS requirements, and support general-purpose techniques
for building DRE systems. It is thus crucial to (re)examine design
patterns from proprietary approaches, and integrate, update, or
replace those patterns within a COTS context. In particular, we
appeal to practitioners, researchers, and developers in the
traditional and emerging DRE domains to document their design
experience in the form of patterns and pattern languages, for study,
comparison, and categorization within the growing body of DRE patterns
literature.
Papers are invited from two main audiences. The first group consists
of practitioners and researchers with prior experience discussing,
applying, and potentially writing patterns and pattern languages. For
example, papers documenting new patterns and pattern languages that
extend work from previous PLoP conferences are highly welcome. We
also strongly encourage submissions from pattern authors whose primary
focus may lie outside DRE systems, but who describe patterns and
pattern languages connecting other domains with DRE system domains.
Second, we strongly encourage members of the larger DRE systems
community who may not have previous exposure to writing patterns and
pattern languages to describe proven and recurring design solutions
from their areas of expertise in patterns form. We will support new
pattern and pattern language writers actively by ensuring highest
quality shepherding and offering overall discussion of patterns in the
DRE domain, will also be supplemented by the overall "enculturation"
in patterns through activities of the conference as a whole.
Dr. Christopher D. Gill is an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Computer Science and Engineering at Washington University in St.Louis,
MO. He has conducted research in the area of distributed real-time
and embedded (DRE) systems for the past six years, with an emphasis on
middleware frameworks for configuring and enforcing real-time,
fault-tolerant, and embedded system properties. He is a member of a
small group of editors seeking to collect and refine DRE patterns
reviewed at the
PLoP 2002 focus group on DRE systems, as well as from
a similar workshop at OOPSLA 2002. Papers submitted to this focus
topic (in Word, PS, or PDF formats only, please), as well as any
questions regarding submissions, shepherding, or other topics relevant
to this focus topic should be sent to Chris Gill at
cdgill@cse.wustl.edu.
Last year's focus group on patterns and pattern languages for DRE
systems employed an original and highly effective evaluation technique
that will be used again this year: experienced pattern and pattern
language reviewers, ideally with previous
shepherding experience, will
be selected from the pool of people submitting papers to the focus
group. If necessary, this group of reviewers will be augmented with
outside patterns experts, but that was not needed last year. Papers
will be assigned according to areas of expertise, with each reviewer
ideally considering no more than 2-3 papers. Among the papers
considered ready for PLoP 2003, shepherds will be assigned.
This session will generally follow the default PLoP 2003 format, with
6-7
writers' workshop sessions over the course of the conference,
roughly 2-3 each day depending on the number of papers accepted for
the focus group. We will also organize a session in which a brief
presentation of our topic are will be made and then opened to
discussion. Other kinds of interactions with conference attendees in
other topic areas are of definite interest, and we will work with the
conference organizers to identify and realize other opportunities for
cross-pollination of ideas and discussions between focus groups.
|