FSM-Based Test Case Generation Methods Applied to test the Communication Software on board the ITASAT University Satellite: a Case Study

Authors

  • Arineiza C. Pinheiro Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos – São Carlos/SP – Brazil
  • Adenilso Simão Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos – São Carlos/SP – Brazil
  • Ana Maria Ambrosio Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais

Keywords:

University satellite, Model-based testing, Finite state machine, Test case generation methods, Testing methodology

Abstract

Software in satellite applications has become increasingly larger, more complex and more integrated so its verification and validation requires exploration of new approaches.  In this paper we present a Model-Based Testing (MBT) approach applied to the Communication Module of the ITASAT-1 university satellite. The models are Finite State Machines (FSM) representing the software behavior. In order to manage the difficulties to model the software behavior the approach employs the COFI (COnformance and Fault Injection) testing methodology associated with the JPlavisFSM Tool. The former advices the modularization of the modelling into different types of behavior into different FSMs, while the later, integrates several FSM-based methods to derive test cases, provides usability to handle and to check properties of the models and computes metrics. The main result of this case study was the evaluation of the drawbacks on the design of the testing models supported by COFI and JPlavisFSM. The models, test sets, metrics with the application of our approach applied to the Communication Module are presented. The paper discusses the benefits as well as the points requiring new researches.

Author Biography

Ana Maria Ambrosio, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais

Coordenação de Engenharia e Tecnologia Espaciais - ETE

Divisão de Sistemas Espaciais -DSE

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Published

2014-11-23

Issue

Section

Original Papers