We present the mathematical foundations of
the contract-based model developed in the framework of the SPEEDS
project. SPEEDS aims at developing methods and tools to support
"speculative design", a design methodology in which distributed
designers develop different aspects of the overall system, in a
concurrent but controlled way. Our generic mathematical model of
contract supports this style of development. This is achieved by
focusing on behaviors, by supporting the notion of "rich component"
where diverse (functional and non-functional) aspects of the system can
be considered and combined, by representing rich components via their
set of associated contracts, and by formalizing the whole process of
component composition.
Keywords : components,
contracts, embedded systems.