The challenge related to these projects is the need to efficiently produce dependable and trusted software systems. We want to know if the software does what we want it to do (validation) and what it is specified to do (verification). At least two things make this increasingly difficult: 1) complexity, and 2) software is now becoming intelligent.
Practical formal methods through the use of models, analysis, and tool automation has worked well for clients over the years. These projects add new technologies and methods to the mix to address the challenges.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision Project - the project goal is to develop a vision for the Smart Grid from a computing perspective looking forward 30 years into the future.
Analysis Modeling Framework for Allocation of Capabilities across Enterprise Levels where Implementation is Asynchronous
Concept Engineering System - project is developing concept engineering framework using gaming development environment and 3D immersive environment.
Bayesian Networks Application to Software Reliability
Analytical Method and Tools to Predict Hazardous Human and Autonomous System Interaction for Cognitive Adaptive Systems - focus on leveraging formal method tools for both design and run-time verification in autonomous systems
Domain Specific Model Integration - project to build model transformations through the T-VEC Tabular Model using MetaEdit+ in a manner similar to one created by BAE Systems and Vanderbilt that was funded by DARPA.
Control Systems Approach to Enable Trusted System Design (TSD) and Operation
Open Source Model-Based Tools Comparison Framework for Formal Method Analysis and Test Generation Tools - environment for comparing formal method analysis such as theorem proving, constraint solving and test vector generation
Formal Methods Tool Comparison - Research project to understand how theorem proving-based test generation tools such as T-VEC Vector Generation System (VGS) and model-based test generation tools compare. One study conducted with one of our clients compared the Mathworks® Design Verifier (DV) with VGS. The key capabilities that distinguish T-VEC VGS over DV are the ability to provide theorem proving of non-linear constraint in addition to linear constraints during the test generation process. I'm also conducted similar analysis of SMT theorem provers such as Z3, CVC3, Yices, model checkers and others constraint solvers such a realpaver, along with looking at Spec Explorer 2010 to provide a comparison for a client. I hope to complete and publish a paper on this soon.
Feb 2, 2012 - Nicole was able to convince someone that after two months of not getting the machine to work that Apple should replace the hardware. I got the machine and used Time Machine to reinstall everything, and it looks like it's working.
I'm leaving these notes here for a few days, and may migrate to an archive location, in case others have a similar situation.
Jan. 26, 2012 - Nicole also confirmed that the Genius at the Apple store LIED to me - they DID NOT change any hardware. The depot did NOT believe Apple's own Genius guy that saw the distortion, nor did they look at this video that shows the distortion - SOFTWARE is not going to create this issue.
I
worked on real-time embedded software and hardware for years, and
this is a heat problem. I bought the second fastest processor, with the most
memory 8GB, and the fastest hard drive (7200 rpm). I have a large
display so I run with the lid close.
I'm so frustrated - more
than 2 months with this Mac, and I cannot do any work on it. I plan to
connect with Apple Customer Service, and ask for my money back.
Purchased computer on Nov. 22 - hasn't worked correctly since I got it - see recent details after confirmed hardware problem was supposedly fixed. Prior details are below.
Phase II - still not fixed. See detailed history below.
Jan 11, 2012 - I went to the Apple store to pick up my Mac. They said they change the main logic board. They ran a few tests and checked to see the the screen distortion problem could not be repeated.
Jan 13, 2012 - Frozen Mac again. I called the Apple Care again, and after about 30 minutes, I was connected with a Senior Advisor (Steve). We looked at the running applications, and Steve said that I should not have Parallels running. Getting a machine that could run both Windows and Linux was one of the key reasons I both this Mac and had Apple install the 8MB of memory.
I shut down Parallels. Steve sent me a Capture Data application, and asked that if the machine froze again, to restart the machine and immediately run the Capture Data application, and send the generated log file to him via email.
Jan. 14, 2012 - Frozen Mac again.Here is the movie (Steve said he liked the proof). I did the restart and immediately ran the Capture Data application, and sent it to him. I'm now back working on my Windows machine.
Jan. 17, 2012 - Finally got a call back from Steve saying that he was sending the Captured Data to engineering. I will have a call with them on Jan 20, 2012 (almost 2 months after I received the machine), and cannot use it yet.
Jan. 20, 2012 - Steve calls me and the engineers think that there was some type of interruption during the indexing process. So he had me disable indexing (via the terminal) and re-enable. I let it completely re-index. Steve said I should start using it after that. Also noticed after I started using it again, that the fan went on and there was a slight distortion of the screen again in upper left corner, which lasted about 3 seconds. I didn't have time to capture on video.
Jan. 20, 2012 - 9:00PM - It's FROZEN again. Called Steve, and left a voice message that I want my money back.
Jan. 21, 2012 - Talked with Steve again - said he cannot refund my money, but would need to connect me to customer service. Here's the FROZEN screen video again. I'm now working on my PC again, but letting the Mac run. It's doing nothing, but feels unusually warm.
Jan. 23, 2012 - I didn't both using the Mac yesterday, but today I planned to run Parallels with Windows - one of they key reasons I bought the machine. I was able to enter the password from screen saver mode, but when I hit Enter, the colorful ball started spinning - I waited for 10 minutes, and no response. I had to do a hard reset again. I did another Capture Data and sent this one off to Steve.
Jan. 26, 2012 - Frozen again, same problem, no resolution from Apple. Here is the FROZEN screen video from today.
Jan. 26, 2012 - It is frozen again at 12 noon - noticed when Nicole called back with the recommendations from the Engineers. They say that it an indexing problem or Time Machine issue. I just fixed indexing on 1/23/2012.
Jan. 26, 2012 - Nicole also confirmed that the Genius at the Apple store LIED to me - they DID NOT change any hardware. The depot did NOT believe the Genius guy that saw the distortion, nor did they look at this video that shows the distortion - SOFTWARE is not going to create this issue.
I worked on real-time embedded software and hardware for 11 years, and this is a heat problem. I bought the second faster processor, the most memory 8GB, and the fastest hard drive (7200 rpm). I have a large display so I run with the lid close.
I'm so frustrated - more than 2 months with this Mac, and I cannot do any work on it. I plan to connect with Apple Customer Service, and ask for my money back.
My advice - don't buy a Mac.
There is a confirmed hardware problem as is reflected with
this video where the screen shakes intermittently.
(Watch video here),
However, there are more issues. Read the list -
Nov. 29, 2011 – I started setup on my new MacBook Pro.
Dec. 3, 2011 – After reboot, could not log in. Log in accept
password, but took me back to log in screen. This happened for both the apple
ID reset, as well as with a root password. Contacted Apple Care and they had to
reinstall OS.
Dec. 14, 2011 – The machine freezes and I have had to do
many hard reboot (hold power key for 6 seconds) again.
Dec. 16, 2011 – Called Apple Care again, this time they
suggested that I run the Apple Hardware Test, however after trying that about
10 time, the machine won’t enter the Apple Hardware Test.
Dec. 18, 2011 – Called Apple Care again, and this time they
said they want to wipe entire machine and reinstall OS. I have installed so
much on this machine, including buying other licensed software . I said I had
to wait until I was finished with key work this week.
Dec. 19, 2011 – Took video of screen shaking – it shows
serial number.
Dec. 20, 2011 – Cannot log in after machine goes into screen
saver mode – have to do a hard reboot. I found a link on the web describing
similar issue (search for “OS X Lion freezes at login screen + App Store is
slow” https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3209415?start=0&tstart=0).
Dec. 29, 2011 - Hardware issue confirmed - they have my machine - let's see how long it takes for them to return it in working condition.
Jan. 6, 2012 - Contacted Apple Care, because I've heard nothing. It took them about 30 minutes of hold time to tell me that the machine has been in extensive testing for 2 days. After being in embedded systems of avionics boxes for 11 years, that makes me think that they haven't found or fixed the HARDWARE problem. I think this machine MacBook Pro is a LEMON. I've had it for more than a month and it hasn't worked most of the time.
This information is being placed on the website for my next
call to Apple Care.
