A Model Annotation Approach for the Support of Software Energy Properties Management using AMALTHEA

The automotive software industry is gradually introducing new functionalities and technologies that increase the efficiency, safety, and comfort of vehicles. These functionalities are quickly accepted by consumers; however, the consequences of this evolution are twofold. First, developing correct systems that integrate more applications and hardware is becoming more complex. To cope with this, new standards (such as Adaptive AUTOSAR) and frameworks (such as AMALTHEA) are being proposed, to assist the development of flexible systems based on high-performance electronic control units (ECU). Second, the increase of functionality is supported by a dramatic increase of electronic parts on automotive systems. Consequently, the impact of software on the electrical power and energy non-functional requirements of automotive systems has come under focus. In this paper we propose an automatic and self-contained approach that supplements a model of an automotive system described on the AMALTHEA platform with energy-related annotations. From the analysis of simulation (or execution) traces of the modelled software, we estimate the power consumption for each software component, on a target hardware platform. This method enables energy analysis during the entire development life-cycle; furthermore, it contributes for the development of energy management strategies for dynamic and self-adaptive systems.