7 th Annual Conference on Systems Engineering Research 2009 (CSER 2009) Loughborough University – 20 th - 23 rd April 2009 A DDS Based Framework for Remote Integration over the Internet Yu-Hong Wang 1 , Shuang-Hua Yang 1 , Alan Grigg 2 , Julian Johnson 2 1 Computer Science, Loughborough University, UK, Y.Wang9@lboro.ac.uk, S.H.Yang@lboro.ac.uk 2 Systems Engineering Innovation Centre, UK, A.Grigg@lboro.ac.uk, J.F.E.Johnson@lboro.ac.uk Abstract A framework is developed to allow multiple development teams to collaborate over the Internet on the development, integration and testing of complex system. The proposed framework is based on the Service Oriented Architecture concept and implemented in the form of data-centric publisher/subscriber architecture, employing Data Distribution Service middleware (DDS) for communications. A prototype realization of the proposed framework has been developed using a Process Control Unit rig. In the prototype, embedded real time software has been developed. Before being delivered to the integrator of the rig or a central service, the embedded software remains at the developer’s facility and has been remotely integrated and tested with operational software running in the PCU rig located remotely from the software developer. This paper presents the adopted software architecture and the middleware and rig employed to realize the framework prototype. Basic functionality for remote integration and testing is also described in the paper. Keywords - Remote integration, Distributed development, the Internet, SOA, DDS 1 Introduction In modern manufacturing industries, component developments of a complex system are becoming increasingly fragmented over geographically distributed locations. Whilst the components are tested in isolation by suppliers prior to delivery to the central integrator, problems are invariably encountered during system integration that could have been identified earlier. The ability to perform an initial stage of component integration whilst some components are still physically located at the supplier’s site could be invaluable and save significant time during later stages of integration. 1.1 Existing Applications There are many applications in the area of remote integration, maintenance and testing. Relevant applications can be found in software engineering [1-3], military and defence [4-6], industrial applications [7-10] and business [11-12], etc. In software engineering, it is now common practice for non- real time software to be developed and integrated by geographically distributed teams and organizations. Such an approach can access the global resource pools and profit from around-the-clock development, hence reducing costs and time-to-market. Two notable platforms for distributed software development are the Rational Software Suit [13] and the V-Design System (VDS) [14]. These support the specification definition, design, realisation and configuration of system and software components. In the military and defence area, with the increasing complexity of modern military ground vehicles and weapon systems, distributed development and integration of such systems is becoming more common. Many organizations are using System Integration Laboratories (SILs) [4, 15]. An extension of the this approach is to link SILs in different locations together and to link remote equipments into SILs using high bandwidth communication links to form Virtual System Integration Laboratories (VSILs) [15]. SILs are used to address the integration of systems and so focus on the system level rather than software level. There are some other successful integration architectures and platforms, such as Integrated System Technologies (INSYTE) [5] from BAE Systems, Joint and Multi-National Interoperability Assessment Network (JMNIAN) [6], the UK’s high-speed national secure data highway, owned by MoD. JMNIAN provides for integration at system of systems level, rather than for software level integration. In the industry applications area, the current main focus is on E-Manufacturing and E-Maintenance. Distributed and collaborative CAD aims to meet the increasing demands of globally collaborative design and outsourcing trends in manufacturing [9]. Due to the large volumes of CAD data that are needed to be transferred over the Internet, real time collaboration is a big challenge for collaborative CAD systems. 1.2 Available Frameworks Remote maintenance is becoming important because of its role in maintaining and improving system availability and safety, as well as product quality. In [7], PROTEUS, a web based framework for remote maintenance for large and medium scale industrial installation has been developed. In the above mentioned applications areas, a software framework plays a key role. A software framework provides "the skeleton of an application that can be customized by an application developer” [17]. A software framework for remote integration, maintenance and testing