Software keeps track of Matlab/Simulink variants

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Mar 9, 2006

Software developers using Matlab and Simulink have a new tool at their disposal - pure::variants Connector for Matlab/Simulink.

Software developers using Matlab and Simulink have a new tool at their disposal - pure::variants Connector for Matlab/Simulink.

The connector enables Matlab/Simulink users to automate the production of software variants using an approach known as software product line engineering - much like assembly lines but for software development.

Connector for Matlab/Simulink is likely to be of particular interest to automotive systems developers where pressure to develop software in product lines is increasing.

The connector works by importing existing Matlab/Simulink models into pure::variants.

Once these models have been imported they may be annotated with "variability information", for example by adding restrictions between product features.

Once all annotations have been made the Product Line has been defined and new software variants may be created.

pure::variants may then be used to automatically generate Matlab/Simulink scripts which can then be used to generate the finished software artefacts for the new variant.

The idea for the connector has arisen out of work conducted at Daimler Chrysler Research in Ulm, Germany.

pure::variants also connects to other leading third-party applications such as Doors and CaliberRM.

Mark Dalgarno of Software Acumen says: "Connector for Matlab/Simulink is another member of an increasingly rich set of pure::variants addons".

"By integrating with leading third-party applications in this way pure::variants is set to become a vital component of the development process for many organisations".