An Integrated Intelligent Modeling and Simulation Language for Model-based Systems Engineering

Simulation languages develop and evolve over time, and the courses in which modeling and simulation are taught must also evolve to keep pace. In the McMaster University MBA program, a study was undertaken in order to select a new simulation language for a system modeling and simulation course in which GPSS had previously been used, in order to demonstrate a broader possible selection of possible application areas for simulation. The language which was selected was SLAM II, and this selection was confirmed by monitoring the reactions and perceptions of the students to both the old and new languages, which were taught concurrently in two separate sections.

Under the complex operational environment of the antimissile operation, the application of Systems Modeling Language (SysML) parametric model in weapon system effectiveness evaluation is explored. The function of parametric graph model, the construction process of the model and the optimization method of the model are researched. Using feedback mechanism to collect, collate and calculate the parameters of the model, and realize the leap from the index relationship description to the calculation of the index. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by using the system of antimissile weapon system as an example.

General-purpose modeling languages are inadequate to model and visualize business processes precisely. An enterprise has its own vocabulary for modeling processes and its specific tasks may have attached data that define the tasks precisely. We propose using Domain Specific Modeling (DSM) languages to model business processes, such that an enterprise can define its own DSM language(s) capturing its vocabulary and data requirement. We suggest using UML profiles and UML activity diagrams as the semantic base for these DSM languages and present tools that are able to create a DSM language and tool support for a given domain. One tool, called ADSpecializer, can generate a UML profile and its tool support of a given application domain. The other tool, ADModeler, is used to create UML activity diagrams within such a domain-specific UML profile. The two tools enable an enterprise to efficiently define and utilize their own DSM language.

System models are constructed to design, study, and understand complex systems. According to the systems modeling language (SysML) that is a standard for model-based system engineering, all engineering activities should be performed using a common model. To validate complex system models defined in SysML, simulation is usually employed. There are numerous efforts to simulate SysML models using different simulation methods and tools. However, the efficient support of automated generation of executable simulation code is still an issue tangled by the research community. This paper introduces DEVSys, an integrated framework for utilizing existing SysML models and automatically producing executable discrete event simulation code, according to model driven architecture (MDA) concepts. Although this approach is not simulation-specific, discrete event system specification (DEVS) was employed, due to the similarities between SysML and DEVS, mainly in system structure description, and the mature, yet ongoing research on expressing executable DEVS models in a simulator-neutral manner. DEVSys framework elements include (a) a SysML profile for DEVS, enabling integration of simulation capabilities into SysML models, (b) a meta-model for DEVS, allowing the utilization of MDA concepts and tools, (c) a transformation of SysML models to DEVS models, using a standard model transformation language as query/view/transform (QVT), and (d) the generation of DEVS executable code for a DEVS simulation environment with an extensible markup language (XML) interface. The definition and implementation of DEVSys elements, as well as the process for its application are demonstrated and discussed, with the aid of a simple working example.

Cybersecurity is a comparatively new discipline, related to computer science, electrical engineering, and similar subjects. As a newer discipline it lacks some of the tools found in more established subject areas. As one example, many engineering disciplines have modeling languages specific for that engineering discipline. As two examples, software engineering utilizes Unified Modeling Language (UML) and systems engineering uses System Modeling Language (SysML). Cybersecurity engineering lacks such a generalized modeling language. Cybersecurity as a profession would be enhanced with a security specific modeling language. This paper describes such a modeling language. The model is described in sufficient detail to be actionable and applicable. However, suggestions for future work are also provided.

Integrating Analytical Models with Descriptive System Models: Implementation of the OMG SyML Standard for the Tool-specific Case of MapleSim and MagicDraw

In this chapter, we provide the essential theory and practical details of employing the principles of Object Orientation (OO) in system architecture modeling. We do not attempt to provide an exhaustive OO tutorial, since there exists a very large literature on this subject (see the references to this chapter). Our goal, instead, is to give the reader the level of understanding needed to master the MBSAP methodology and apply it to practical system architecting challenges. First, we present the rationale for OO and define the essential concepts and terminology, stressing the benefits it delivers in dealing with complex entities. Although we use the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) as the basis for this book, we begin by discussing and illustrating the primary diagrams of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is the root language standard for OO. This is then followed by a description of the changes to UML introduced by the SysML, which is defined as a Profile of UML. The reality is that a large part of the SysML is taken directly from the UML language specification. We believe understanding of this material is enhanced by first considering the parent UML and then explicitly showing how UML modifies and extends the language. We include generic UML and SysML diagrams that illustrate important principles and syntax and that can serve as format samples in developing real architecture models. Appendices A and B are concise references to UML and SysML, respectively, intended to give readers a quick and easy way to look up the details. Chapter objective: the reader will be able to create and read UML and SysML diagrams and to describe the role of each.

Compared to General Purpose Modeling Languages (GPMLs), Domain Specific Modeling Languages (DSMLs) have brought increasing expressivity and conciseness through the use of concepts and notations, which are customized by the characteristics of a specific problem domain. However, the creation of completely new languages can significantly increase software development costs. An alternative approach to creating new DSMLs refers to a customization of existing modeling languages. The DSML creation process through a customization of existing languages is a special case of Language Embedding. The embedding provides customization of an inherited infrastructure to a given domain. This paper elaborates a Domain-Specific Modeling environment for embedding an arbitrary DSML into an arbitrary GPML. The environment enables uniform development of DSMLs in the form of a lightweight extension of existing modeling languages.

The development process of complex systems needs to take in account differents domains and aspects. SysML (Systems Modeling Language) is a new modeling language that allows a system description with various integrated diagrams (as structure, behavior and requirements diagrams), but SysML lacks formality for the requirement verification. The aim of this paper is to propose an approach to verify complex systems using SysML as a language which describes the system structure and requirements. Petri nets and temporal logic LTL are used respectively to formalize the system behavior and requirements. The benefit of such formalization is to allow an automatic formal verification. In order to demonstrate this methodology, it will be used a factory automation system, modeled by SysML and Petri nets, and verified by the TINA toolbox.

It is almost impossible to maintain the logical correctness of the architectural model of a complex system (e.g., a System of Systems). Consequently, system engineers need a rigorous formal methodology to evaluate the logical behavior of the architecture under design to guarantee its adherence to the original behavioral requirements. Currently system architects mainly rely on modeling languages such as the Unified Modeling Language (UML), the System Modeling Language (SysML), and many others. Despite their powerful features, these languages only provide a static view of the structure and behavior of the system. However, there exist methodologies to convert models expressed in architecture description languages to formal mathematical languages such as Colored Petri Nets (CPN). This conversion to a formal model enables the evaluation of an architecture's logical behavior as well as its performance and effectiveness. In this paper, a methodology is presented for evaluating a system's logical architecture using simulation and analysis tools. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Enterprise Architecture (EA) is used as a real-world illustrative example. The designs, expressed in UML and CPN, are tested for potential deadlocks and reachability properties using Computational Tree Logic (CTL) for State Space Analysis (SSA). The results of the evaluations could be used to further enhance the architecture under development.

Most conventional industrial product's value is at its maximum at the time of purchase, and starts decreasing until its disposal. Therefore, the lifecycle of products tend to be short, which leads to mass production and mass consumption harming the environment. In order to face this issue, a methodology, which aims to increase products value, is proposed as the Value Growth Design. In a previous study, we proposed the concept of Value Growth Mobility that has two basic systems: a Core Module System and a Service System. This paper describes the development of a Service System supporting mobility's value growth. To develop the Service System, a system development method integrating the Multispace Design Method and System Modeling Language (SysML) is used. The Multispace Design Method is a design method based on a Multispace Design Model that can describe various behaviors of design from the common perspective. SysML is a modeling language that supports a development of the large-scale and complicated system by diagram description. By applying the method integrating the Multispace Design Method and SysML, a new Service System that considers psychological elements including sense of attachment and intimacy that the user gains toward the vehicle is proposed. Additionally, the design of subsystems to realize this Service System is discussed.

This paper examines the System Engineering processes/applications transforming from being document‐centric to being model‐centric by examining the benefits and uses of the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). This paper will look at the concept behind SysML and provide a background on existing research to address the Unified Modeling Language (UML) Systems Engineering request for proposal to generate SysML. This paper will identify benefits of using SysML in the Systems Engineering process and makes a recommendation for its use in large scale integration projects and complex hardware and software designs.

Modeling and modeling methods are crucial for information systems engineering but are seldom seamlessly integrated into all phases of development and operation: Practitioners challenge the benefits of modeling and complain about the confusing variety of concepts with overlapping semantics, symbols and syntactic rules of today’s standardized, “universal” modeling languages. Therefore, domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) are gaining increasing popularity: they are lean and convenient, support the productivity of modeling, and help to increase model quality and comprehensibility. There are, however, few approaches to embedding a DSML into a domain-specific modeling method (DSMM) that provides guidelines about how to use a given DSML and to evaluate related models. This chapter aims to make a contribution towards filling that gap by discussing, as an example and proof of concept, a domain-specific modeling method for the human cognitive modeling language HCM-L, a DSML for the domain of active and assisted living. As a modeling language without tool support has no chance to be used in practice, we are conducting that discussion on the basis of HCM-L modeler, a tool that was implemented using the metamodeling platform ADOxx and can be accessed via OMiLAB, the Open Models Laboratory for modeling method engineering. HCM-L modeler is component of an ambient assistance system for supporting elder persons in mastering their daily life activities.

Automation and high coverage are two essential industrial technical requirements of qualified testing method for safety-critical systems. The ioco-testing method is a sound and well-defined formal automation testing technique for labelled transition system. However, when we apply this method to a train control system developed by our industrial partner, we find that some testing requirements are not covered for certain testing objects. Further analysis has shown that the ioco-testing method only generates test cases based on explicit specified system behaviors which may result in low coverage when the implementation under test includes code branches used to deal with faults which can't be defined thoroughly in the specification in practices. Therefore, we propose a labelled transition system testing method based on specification mutation to improve safety-critical system testing coverage. We firstly define the mutation operators for the Input output symbolic transition system (IOSTS) modeling language, then we construct the corresponding test generation algorithm and translate the derived test cases into xml files which can be directly applied to the implementation under test in a simulation and test platform developed by our partner. Preliminary experiments on a safety-critical function named train position determination have shown about 28.5% improvement on the testing coverage.

Research on software agents has produced a diversity of conceptual models for high-level abstract descriptions of multi-agent systems (MASs). However, it is still difficult and costly for designers that need a unique set of agent modeling features to either develop a new agent modeling language from scratch or undertake the task of modifying an existing language. In addition to the modeling itself, in both cases a significant effort needs to be expended in building or adapting tools to support the language. An extensible agent modeling language is crucial to experimenting with and building tools for novel modeling constructs that arise from evolving research. Existing approaches typically support a basic set of modeling constructs very well, but adapt to others poorly. A declarative language such as XML and its supporting tools provides an ideal platform upon which to develop an extensible modeling language for multi-agent systems. In this paper we describe xTAO, an extensible agent modeling language, and also demonstrate its value in the context of a real-world application.