Framework For Model-based Development Research Articles

A domain specific language notation for a language learning activity generation tool

Globalization has increased the need for society to master new languages. This need has encouraged the launch of many applications dedicated to language learning. This paper presents a graphical notation for a domain specific language to represent language learning activities. It describes how this notation enables developers to represent language learning activity characteristics using workflow, presentation, content, media and activity model conforming a metamodel that defines the abstract syntax of the domain specific language. This notation is implemented as part of an integrated development environment to build model-based applications. Finally, this proposal is evaluated with a framework that uses the cognitive dimensions of notations for notational systems. The proposed graphic diagram editor exceeds the experience that the user has with the reflexive model editor. In relation to the creation and editing of workflow models and presentation/activity models, the proposed graphical notation its more intuitive and easy to maintain visually than the traditional reflexive tree notation used by many model-based development frameworks.

Model Transformations Carried by the Traceability Framework for Enterprises in Software Industry

The developmental paradigm in the software engineering industry has transformed from a programming-oriented approach to model-oriented development. At present, model-based development is becoming an emerging method for enterprises for constructing software systems and services most proficiently. In Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 2, i.e., Managed, we need to sustain the bi-directional trace of the transformed models for the administration of user requirements and demands. This goal is achieved by the organization after applying the particular practices suggested by CMMI level 2 process area of Requirements Management (RM). It is very challenging for software developers and testers to maintain trace, particularly during the evaluation and upgrading phases of development. In our previous research work, we proposed a traceability framework for model-based development of applications for software enterprises. This work is the extension of our previously presented research work in which we have anticipated the meta-model transformations according to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). These meta-models are capable of maintaining the trace information through relations. The proposed technique is also verified using a generalized illustration of an application. This transformation practice will give a foundation to software designers to maintain traceability links in model-driven development

Coordinated actor model of self-adaptive track-based traffic control systems

Self-adaptation is a well-known technique to handle growing complexities of software systems, where a system autonomously adapts itself in response to changes in a dynamic and unpredictable environment. With the increasing need for developing self-adaptive systems, providing a model and an implementation platform to facilitate integration of adaptation mechanisms into the systems and assuring their safety and quality is crucial. In this paper, we target Track-based Traffic Control Systems (TTCSs) in which the traffic flows through pre-specified sub-tracks and is coordinated by a traffic controller. We introduce a coordinated actor model to design self-adaptive TTCSs and provide a general mapping between various TTCSs and the coordinated actor model. The coordinated actor model is extended to build large-scale self-adaptive TTCSs in a decentralized setting. We also discuss the benefits of using Ptolemy II as a framework for model-based development of large-scale self-adaptive systems that supports designing multiple hierarchical MAPE-K feedback loops interacting with each other. We propose a template based on the coordinated actor model to design a self-adaptive TTCS in Ptolemy II that can be instantiated for various TTCSs. We enhance the proposed template with a predictive adaptation feature. We illustrate applicability of the coordinated actor model and consequently the proposed template by designing two real-life case studies in the domains of air traffic control systems and railway traffic control systems in Ptolemy II.

System Lifecycle Management - An Approach for Developing Cybertronic Systems in Consideration of Sustainability Aspects

Contemporary technological products are systems based on multiple engineering disciplines. Requirements, risen due to global competition and legislation, lead to complexity explosion especially with regard to the information flow within the product development process. Embedded intelligence and interconnectivity used for an autonomous decision-finding by the products increases complexity furthermore. This paper presents an approach and framework for model-based development of Cybertronic Systems supported by System Lifecycle Management for provision of data availability and traceability. An example based on eco-design of a Cybertronic Element – wheeled excavator – within a Cybertronic System – autonomous construction area – is presented.

Automated test generation and error localisation for Simulink/Stateflow modelled systems using extended automata

Model-based development frameworks for cyber-physical systems (CPSs) such as Simulink and Stateflow are popular for many applications. For safety and security concerns, verification and testing/validation must be performed on the model-based CPS designs. In this study, the authors present an automatic test generation approach for model-based CPS designs in Simulink/Stateflow based on its translation to input/output extended finite automata (I/O-EFA) developed in the authors’ prior works. The test generation problem requires identifying the executable paths of the I/O-EFA model and also generating a test input for those paths. To execute a path, a certain sequence of other paths must be executed first, which they automatically identify. The approach is implemented by applying two different techniques, model checking and constraint solving. Both test generation implementations are validated by a case study. The results show that both implementations can generate test cases, while the implementation based on constraint solving is in general faster. The approach is further extended to requirements-based test generation. These tests are then used for validation purposes, and the failed versus passed tests are used to localise the fault to plausible Simulink/Stateflow blocks using the notion of fault-seed used in their earlier work. The approaches are applied on a bounded counter and a thermal control of a house as two different case studies.

The Design of Safe Networked Supervisory Medical Systems Using Organ-Centric Hierarchical Control Architecture.

There are growing demands to leverage network connectivity and interoperability of medical devices in order to improve patient safety and the effectiveness of medical services. However, if not properly designed, the integration of medical devices through networking could significantly increase the complexity of the system and make the system more vulnerable to potential errors, jeopardizing patient safety. The system must be designed and verified to guarantee the safety of patients and the effectiveness of medical services in the face of potential problems such as network failures. In this paper, we propose organ-centric hierarchical control architecture as a viable solution that reduces the complexity in system design and verification. In our approach, medical devices are grouped into clusters according to organ-specific human physiology. Each cluster captures common patterns arising out of medical device interactions and becomes a survivable semiautonomous unit during network failures. Further, safety verification and runtime enforcement can be modularized along organ-centric hierarchical control structure. We show the feasibility of the proposed approach under Simulink's model-based development framework. A simplified scenario for airway laser surgery is used as a case study.

CDL: an extensible constraints framework for model-based development

The model-based paradigm has progressed from scientific research to industrial use. Great effort has gone into providing elaborate meta-models for different application domains, such as aviation or automotive. Instance models have to fulfil certain criteria originating from different areas, such as the development process or legal requirements, and more. These criteria are usually defined in the beginning of the development process, and often statically implemented in the tool editor. In the constraint definition framework and language CDL presented here, the Tool Smith can provide reusable constraints for a domain expert, who creates a custom constraints set in turn. The modeller uses these domain-specific custom constraints and applies them to the instance model he develops. Furthermore, in CDL, constraints can be augmented with actions supporting the modeller to repair defects on the model. The contribution of this work is an extensible constraint framework and language, supporting the model-based development process. A case study from the automotive domain is described, showing the feasibility of the approach.