Dependability of the mobile device

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Description

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it is very likely that the dependability of the user on the mobile device increases. Dependability has the following attributes (from [1]):

  • Availability - readiness for correct service
  • Reliability - continuity of correct service
  • Safety - absence of catastrophic consequences on the user(s) and the environment
  • Integrity - absence of improper system alteration
  • Maintainability - ability to undergo modifications and repairs

The dependability is however at risk with the increasing complexity of the mobile device and reliance on the communication capabilities.

Enablers

  • Improvement software development technologies. Software development is still in its infancy. Proper design methodologies are needed to reduce the number of defect in the software.
  • Development system design technologies. Apart from better software development methodologies a better overall system design (self-healing hardware, modularisation, redundancy).
  • Standarisation and open source software. Standardisation reduces the chance of introducing faults because it allows for more re-use of development and therefor enables a higher verification effort. Open source software makes (and actually requires) the software to be more transparent. This in turns reduces the chance for defects in the software.
  • Network coverage. Improving network coverage increases the availability of the mobile device.



Inhibitors

  • Increasing functionality in software and hardware. Integrating more and more functionality increases the number components in the mobile device. This in turn increases the chance of defects in the components itself, but also due to the increasing interfaces.
  • Execution of 3rd party developed software (e.g. through the Internet). Allowing software components from non validated sources may introduce software components which are not properly verified.
  • Increasing number of viruses and worms. Viruses and worms decrease the integrity and availability of the mobile device.



Paradigms

The value attributed to the mobile device also depends on its trustworthiness. New functionality on a mobile device will only be 'used' if the platform provides the trustworthiness that the user associates with the functionality. For example using the mobile phone as a wallet might require a high trustworthiness in order to replace one of the currently existing money holders. Otherwise the mobile wallet will just be an additional option, resulting in lower acceptance.

Timing

  • 1960s emergence of fault tolerance and system reliability studies (as a result of the space race?)
  • 1980s the term reliability becomes overloaded; term dependability introduced by Jean-Claude Laprie



Web Resources




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