Real-Time Distributed Systems and Networks

Abstract

Introduction

The contents of this Special Issue is composed of extended versions of eight papers presented at the 2008 edition of the Real-Time Software Workshop (RTS'08), held in October 2008, in WisÅa, Poland, as a part of the IMCSIT 2008 (International Multi-conference on Computer Science and Information Technology). The papers included in this issue all focus on Real-Time Distributed Systems and Networks. Papers from other focus areas of the RTS'08 workshop were submitted for publication elsewhere, and some od them have recently appeared [1].

Contents of This Issue

The area of real-time distributed systems and networks is very broad, which is reflected by the types of papers included here. However, the papers can be categorized based on the systems development perspective. In this view, one can group papers in three essential categories, regarding whether they deal with the methods, techniques, or tools for system development.

Papers in the methods category vary from more theoretical to practical aspects of distributed system design and development. At the theoretical end, Le Berre et al. present a state-based modeling approach to analyzing distributed embedded systems, based on the Temporal Logic of Actions, TLA+. More practical approaches are presented in two other papers. Galdun et al. discuss a method for increasing reliability in networked control systems via redundancy, and demonstrate it in a case study of a 4-rotor helicopter. Gonnord and Babau, in turn, discuss resource management in embedded systems, by handling resource constraints using quality-of-service criteria, and demonstrate it for an image processing example using their framework named Qinna.

Furthermore, Moritz et al. propose a method for handling real-time capable embedded web services, and apply it in a mobile robot case study, while Binotto et al. offer a new method of dynamic task reconfiguration, in an aspect oriented framework, and apply it in a UAV based surveillance system.

Regarding more specific techniques for real-time distributed system development, two papers are included here. Martinez et al. give an application perspective on two case studies in wireless sensor networks: a healthcare system and a networked control system. Finally, Song discusses a variety of localization techniques for mobile sensor networks. The only paper related to tools, by RzoÅca et al., discussing a development environment for programming small controllers, based on the IEC Std 61131-3, concludes this special issue.

Conclusion

In this Editor's opinion, the eight papers presented here provide a good, although selective, overview of the subject area, and offer an interesting perspective on problems and related solutions in real-time distributed systems and networks.

For preparation of the RTS'08 Workshop thanks are due to the Workshop Program Committee co-chairs, Professors Wojciech Grega from AGH University of Science and Technology, in Kraków, Poland, and Andrew Kornecki from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.

Janusz Zalewski,
SCPE Editorial Board Member and RTS'08 Workshop Co-Chair,
Dept. of Computer Science,
Florida Gulf Coast University,
Fort Myers, FL 33965,
USA,
zalewski@fgcu.edu

References

[1]. J. Zalewski, Guest Editor Special issue on real-time safety-critical systems, Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering, 5(2), pp. 95–161 (June 2009).