Computer-based systems affect virtually everything we do. Typical systems that are computer based include telephone and communications, process control and manufacturing automation, space travel, transportation (automotive, train, aircraft, and air traffic control), command and control, medical instruments, and large or distributed database systems.
Specifically, computer-based systems (CBSs) are those whose behavior is, to a substantial degree, determined or controlled by computers. CBSs tend to be complex, often consisting of many networked, geographically distributed subsystems, and each subsystem may itself be a multicomputer system. A CBS is software, hardware, and frequently communication intensive, and its functional performance, and reliability requirements mandate tightly integrated information processing and physical behavior.
ECBS 2000 will be the 7th formal IEEE sponsored meeting dedicated to formulating and advancing methods, techniques and tools for the engineering of computer-based systems. This emerging discipline is devoted to the design, development, deployment, and analysis of complex systems whose behaviour is largely determined or controlled by computers. CBSs are characterised by functional, performance, and reliability requirements that mandate the tight integration of information processing and physical processes. ECBS encompasses many facets: system modeling, requirements specification, simulation, architectures, communications, safety, security, reliability, software, hardware, human computer interfacing, system integration, verification and validation and project management. ECBS is the integration of several engineering disciplines including software, hardware, and communications into a complete engineering discipline. The conference provides a bridge between industry and academia, and the program will provide a balanced view of academic research and industrial developments. Contributions are sought in two major categories: fundamental ECBS technologies and reports of practical ECBS solutions in application domain areas.