Real-Time and Multi-Agent Systems

A detailed account of real-time systems, including program structures for real-time, phases development analysis, and formal specification and verification methods of reactive systems. The book brings together the 3 key fields of current and future data-processing: distributed systems and applications, parallel scientific computing, and real-time and manufacturing systems. It covers the basic concepts and theories, methods, techniques and tools currently used in the specification and implementation of applications and contains many examples plus complete case studies.

Contenu

PREFACE.- FOREWORD.- INTRODUCTION.- PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS: Definition of a Distributed Multi-Agent Application. Development of Remote Processing Systems. Architecture of Remote Processing Systems. Distributed Applications. Distributed System Properties. Activity Management in a Distributed Context. Process Synchronisation and Resource Management. Validation Protocols for Global Applications. Fault Tolerance, Security and Protection.- INTERACTION MODELS: New Generation Distributed Software Architecture. Event-Oriented Concurrent and Distributed Programming. Massively Parallel Processors and Distributed Programming. Basic Principles of Distributed Programming. The Method of Analysis for a Multi-Agent Application. Communication Channels. Elements of a High-Level Distributed Programming Language. Anonymous Communication. Hoare Monitors. The Corba Norm. Conclusion.- PVM, PARALLEL PROGRAMMING TOOLS: PVM Presented. PVM Installation. The User Interface or PVM Primitives.- DISTRIBUTED PROGRAMMING UNDER UNIX: Unix and the Client-Server Model. Unix Tools for Distributed Data-Processing. IP Interfaces. TCP and UDP Data Transmission Protocols. Unix Tools for Distributed Programming. Sockets.- PRINCIPLES OF REAL-TIME DATA PROCESSING: Structure and Function of an Automated System. Combinatorial Automated Systems. Sequential Automated Systems. The GRAFCET: Synthesis Tool for Industrial Automated Systems. Technological Options for the Implementation of the Command Part. Digital Control Process Systems. The Need for an Adapted Specification Methodology. Process Dynamics. Periodic and Aperiodic Tasks. Basic Functions of Real-Time Kernels. Local Industrial Networks. The Development Environment of VxWorks Real-Time Applications. The Environment of a Multi-Agent Real-time Application. Tools for the Development and Coverification of Embedded Systems. CORBA Telecoms.- PROLOG III AND REAL-TIME SYSTEM ENGINEERING: Impact of Formal Specifications on Software Development. Reminder of Discrete Event Systems. Prolog III and the Study of Simple Real-Time Systems. Specification Methodology of Complex MMS Systems. Conclusion. Project 1: Modelling Distributed Systems.- PARALLEL IMAGE PROCESSING: Presentation. Implementation.- CLIENT-SERVER APPLICATIONS UNDER UNIX: Presentation. Implementation. Mini Project 1: An Event Management System. Mini Project 2: A VxWorks Version of the Temporal Constraint Manager. The Sources of the Temporal Constraint Management System.- CONTROL OF A PRODUCT PROCESSING CHAIN: Functioning. Analysis and Specification using the SA/RT (SA/SD) Method. Design and Implementation of the Command Part.- A PERSISTENT OBJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Presentation. The Object Manager OM.- APPENDICES: Problems with Hardware-Software Layer Coupling in a Data-Processing system. Basic Principles of Peripheral Handlers. Process Management. Management of the Central Memory. Introduction to Prolog III.- INDEX.