However, its application to hard, real-time, systems needs much investigation. For example, its support for the rigorous analysis of timing deadlines is limited. There are also important semantic inconsistancies to be resolved. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, there is the need for a structured development method for UML which support the real-time development process. However, little research has been carried out on approaches to analysing properties of models that are specified in these notations.
Transformation rules are also appropriate for expressing refinements of models.
Dr Evans is particularly interested in understanding how real-time refinement rules can be incorporated within a diagrammatical environment. For example, patterns exist for real-time systems which describe how best an object can manage the distributed control of actuators and sensors. Unfortuanately, such patterns are often very informally expressed using diagrams and text. Thus, they are open to mis-interpretation and misuse. If the way in which such patterns are expressed could be made more precise, there is clearly the potential for a more rigorous, yet user friendly approach to design.