A Comprehensive Approach for Design Complexity Analysis of Avionics Software

Due to the fairly recent acceptance of software metrics collection techniques, comparative measures of software attributes such as complexity, usability, and quality are not being used for the evaluation of end-product source code. Unfortunately, the problems found are often due to an overly complex or faulty design specification requiring a post-implementation redesign phase. OTI proposes to shorten this loop by defining a comprehensive approach for the application of complexity metrics to the design specification prior to implementation. Emphasis of all work will be placed on the special problems encountered by developers of avionics software. A four part effort will be performed in Phase I: 1) an investigation of tools and methodologies currently available for analysis of design complexity; 2) a determination of areas specific to avionics which have not been addressed; 3) the presentation of innovative solutions to the areas found in area 2; and 4) the definition of requirements for a tool to automate these solutions.