Optimal Component Selection for Embedded Systems With Mandatory Redundancy In Critical Modules Based on Reuse-Build-Buy Decision

Embedded systems are developed in the form of modular, distributed components connected in serial or parallel. The modularized software components are a result of CBSD, wherein the components can be either obtained as COTS components, developed in-house or re-used after modification. This decision is based upon a number of internal and external factors and is known as Reuse-Build-Buy Decision. Software industries are majorly involved in reusing the components in order to save development& testing time and associated cost. Reusability of components depends upon several parameters such as cost and time for modifications & testing, reliability etc. In life-critical embedded systems, rendering the system to run in the external, uncontrolled environment will be unwise. It becomes obligatory to identify the critical modules and incorporate fault tolerance, which further implies additional cost. In this paper, RB/1/1 fault tolerant architecture has been implemented on embedded systems with mandatory redundancy for critical modules to make the system more reliable. The aim of the paper is to select hardware and software components for the modular system to maximize the overall reliability and minimizing the overall cost and SLOC with a constraint of mandatory redundancy for critical modules under RB/1/1 architecture incorporating Reuse-build-or-buy decision.