| 1. |
- Biehl, Matthias
(författare)
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A Modeling Language for the Description and Development of Tool Chains for Embedded Systems
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The development of embedded systems is typically supported by a number of diverse development tools. To achieve seamless tool support throughout the embedded systems development process, tool chains are constructed as software solutions that integrate the development tools. Tool chains have grown from ad-hoc solutions to complex software systems, since they need to support distributed engineering, integration conventions, a specific set of tools and the complete product development process used in a company. In practice, the development of tool chains that fulfill these needs is difficult and time-consuming, since it is a largely unsupported, manual engineering task. In addition, tool chains are typically described using general purpose modeling languages or languages borrowed from other domains, which contributes to the accidental complexity of tool chain development. Due to the increasing sophistication and size of tool chains, there is a need for a systematic, targeted description and development approach for tool chains.This thesis contributes with a language for the systematic description of tool chains and semi-automated techniques to support their development.The Tool Integration Language (TIL) is a domain-specific modeling language (DSML) for tool chains that allows describing tool chains explicitly, systematically and at an appropriate level of abstraction. TIL concepts are from the domain of tool integration and express the essential design decisions of tool chains at an architectural level of abstraction. A TIL model serves as a basis for the development of a tailored tool chain.Semi-automated techniques for the specification, analysis and synthesis support the development of tool chains that are described as TIL models. Specification techniques support the creation and refinement of a tool chain model that is aligned to a given development process and set of tools. Domain-specific analysis techniques are used to check the alignment of the tool chain model with the supported process. Synthesis techniques support the efficient realization of the specified tool chain model as a software solution that conforms to integration conventions.Experiences from case studies are presented which apply TIL to support the creation of tool chains. The approach is evaluated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, by comparing it to traditional development methods for tool chains. The approach enables the efficient development of tailored tool chains, which have the potential to improve the productivity of embedded systems development.
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| 2. |
- Denil, Joachim, et al.
(författare)
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Model-Driven Engineering Approaches to Design Space Exploration
- 2013
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During the design and deployment of increasingly complex distributed embedded systems, engineers are challenged by a plethora of design choices. This often results in infeasible or sub-optimal solutions. In industry and academia, general and domain-specific optimization techniques are developed to explore the tradeoffs within these design spaces, though these techniques are usually not adapted for use within a Model- Driven Engineering (MDE) process. In this paper we propose to encode metaheuristics in transformation models as a general design exploration method. This is complemented by an MDE framework for combining different heterogeneous techniques at different abstraction layers using model transformations. Our approach results in the seamless integration of design space exploration in the MDE process. The proposed methods are applied on the deployment of an automotive embedded system, yielding a set of Pareto-optimal solutions.
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| 3. |
- Gomes, Claudio, et al.
(författare)
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Co-Simulation : A Survey
- 2018
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Ingår i: ACM Computing Surveys. - : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). - 0360-0300 .- 1557-7341. ; 51:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Modeling and simulation techniques are today extensively used both in industry and science. Parts of larger systems are, however, typically modeled and simulated by different techniques, tools, and algorithms. In addition, experts from different disciplines use various modeling and simulation techniques. Both these facts make it difficult to study coupled heterogeneous systems. Co-simulation is an emerging enabling technique, where global simulation of a coupled system can be achieved by composing the simulations of its parts. Due to its potential and interdisciplinary nature, cosimulation is being studied in different disciplines but with limited sharing of findings. In this survey, we study and survey the state-of-the-art techniques for co-simulation, with the goal of enhancing future research and highlighting the main challenges. To study this broad topic, we start by focusing on discrete-event-based co-simulation, followed by continuous-time-based co-simulation. Finally, we explore the interactions between these two paradigms, in hybrid co-simulation. To survey the current techniques, tools, and research challenges, we systematically classify recently published research literature on co-simulation, and summarize it into a taxonomy. As a result, we identify the need for finding generic approaches for modular, stable, and accurate coupling of simulation units, as well as expressing the adaptations required to ensure that the coupling is correct.
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| 4. |
- Jinzhi, Lu, 1988-
(författare)
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A Framework for Cyber-physical System Tool-chain Development : A Service-oriented and Model-based Systems Engineering Approach
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The development of complex Cyber-physical Systems (CPS) requires tight interactions of projects, system components, stakeholders, data and models. These models and data support component design, which are implemented by various engineering tools used by stakeholders. Effective tool integration thus relies on development of tool-chains. Five common challenges have been identified as part of this work concerning the development of tool-chains to support Model-based System Engineering (MBSE) for complex CPS:Models from different domains are represented by different syntaxes and seemingly similar syntax may have completely distinct semantics. Moreover, such models and their views have completely different purposes. A unified formalism, therefore, does not exist to accommodate all system artifacts from all constituent models.Modeling tools are developed by different tool suppliers and hence the interoperability of these tools may be limited, because the interfaces may not be fully open.The interoperability limitation is especially prohibitive for co-simulations across multiple simulation tools.Tool-chains must support design automation of product development workflows as adopted by different business units.Users and developers of the MBSE tool-chain must have evaluation criteria to judge the effectiveness of different tool-chains and workflows.To alleviate these challenges, this thesis proposes a novel Model-based System Engineering (MBSE) framework, called SPIRIT, to support model and data integration and tool-chain development. The framework contributes to four main phases for CPS tool-chain development, namely concept, design, early evaluation and operation phases. For the concept phase, the framework exploits the systems thinking approach to develop novel concepts of MBSE tool-chains. For the design phase, the framework adopts a service-oriented approach to construct tool-chains from the perspectives of social networks, process, information-service-infrastructure, and technology. For the early evaluation phase, quantitative metrics are defined to measure, (i) the MBSE capabilities of tools within a tool-chain, and (ii) the interoperability of the tool-chain. For the operation phase, several MBSE tool-chain prototypes are developed to support product development. An advantage of the new framework is to support tool-chain development using systems thinking and considering integrations of several open standards, including: 1) a domain-specific modeling (DSM) approach based on the Graph-Object-Property-Point-Role-Relationship meta-meta model; 2) ontology design based on the Web Ontology Language; 3) co-simulation using the High-Level Architecture and the Functional Mock-up Interface; 4) model-driven process management using BPMN; 5) tool-integration based on Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration; and 6) value selections of design parameters based on an automated decision-making algorithm.The effectiveness of the novel MBSE framework is investigated and verified by three case studies. Three main contributions are concluded from this thesis:Benefits and challenges of MBSE tool-chains in industry are identified through a questionnaire survey and literature review. The results and the use of a systems thinking approach led to the development of a conceptual architectural model aiming to support MBSE tool-chain formalisms.The SPIRIT framework is defined to provide support for MBSE tool-chain development. The framework has the following properties: architecting by DSM, integrating tools and models via open standards, enabling automatic co-simulations, and supporting design automation.A DSM approach supporting visualization and Bayesian network analysis is presented to support MBSE tool-chain assessment. Quantitative metrics are defined to evaluate the effectiveness of MBSE tool-chains.
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| 5. |
- Persson, Magnus, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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A Characterization of Integrated Multi-View Modeling for Embedded Systems
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Embedded systems, with their tight technology integration, andmultiple requirements andstakeholders, are characterized by tightly interrelated processes, information and tools.Embedded systems will as a consequence be described by multiple, heterogeneous andinterrelated descriptions such as for example requirements documents, design and analysismodels, software and hardware descriptions. We refer to a system designed this way as amulti-view (MV) system.The main contribution of this paper is a characterization of model-based approachesto MV systems. The characterization takes three main perspectives: semantic relationsbetween views (content), relations over time (process), and manipulation of views (operations).We complement these perspectives by investigating MV system challenges and bya survey of related approaches. The characterization aims to provide a basis for a betterunderstanding, design and implementation of MV systems, and thereby to overcome thecurrent fragmented points of view on integrated multi-view modeling (MVM).
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| 6. |
- Persson, Magnus, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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A characterization of integrated multi-view modeling in the context of embedded and cyber-physical systems
- 2013
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Ingår i: 2013 Proceedings of the International Conference on Embedded Software (EMSOFT). - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ; , s. 6658588-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Embedded systems, with their tight technology integration, and multiple requirements and stakeholders, are characterized by tightly interrelated processes, information and tools. Embedded systems will as a consequence be described by multiple, heterogeneous and interrelated descriptions such as for example requirements documents, design and analysis models, software and hardware descriptions. We refer to a system designed this way as a multi-view (MV) system. The main contribution of this paper is a characterization of model-based approaches to MV systems. The characterization takes three main perspectives for the relations between viewpoints: semantic relations (content), relations over time (process), and manipulation of views (operations). We complement these perspectives by investigating MV system challenges and by a survey of related approaches. The characterization aims to provide a basis for a better understanding, design and implementation of MV systems, and thereby to overcome the current fragmented points of view on integrated multi-view modeling (MVM).
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| 7. |
- Pop, Adrian, 1975-
(författare)
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Integrated Model-Driven Development Environments for Equation-Based Object-Oriented Languages
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Integrated development environments are essential for efficient realization of complex industrial products, typically consisting of both software and hardware components. Powerful equation-based object-oriented (EOO) languages such as Modelica are successfully used for modeling and virtual prototyping increasingly complex physical systems and components, whereas software modeling approaches like UML, especially in the form of domain specific language subsets, are increasingly used for software systems modeling.A research hypothesis investigated to some extent in this thesis is if EOO languages can be successfully generalized also to support software modeling, thus addressing whole product modeling, and if integrated environments for such a generalized EOO language tool support can be created and effectively used on real-sized applications.However, creating advanced development environments is still a resource-consuming error-prone process that is largely manual. One rather successful approach is to have a general framework kernel, and use meta-modeling and meta-programming techniques to provide tool support for specific languages. Thus, the main goal of this research is the development of a meta-modeling approach and its associated meta-programming methods for the synthesis of model-driven product development environments that includes support for modeling and simulation. Such environments include components like model editors, compilers, debuggers and simulators. This thesis presents several contributions towards this vision in the context of EOO languages, primarily the Modelica language.Existing state-of-the art tools supporting EOO languages typically do not satisfy all user requirements with regards to analysis, management, querying, transformation, and configuration of models. Moreover, tools such as model-compilers tend to become large and monolithic. If instead it would be possible to model desired tool extensions with meta-modeling and meta-programming, within the application models themselves, the kernel tool could be made smaller, and better extensibility, modularity and flexibility could be achieved.We argue that such user requirements could be satisfied if the equation-based object-oriented languages are extended with meta-modeling and meta-programming. This thesis presents a new language that unifies EOO languages with term pattern matching and transformation typically found in functional and logic programming languages. The development, implementation, and performance of the unified language are also presented.The increased ease of use, the high abstraction, and the expressivity of the unified language are very attractive properties. However, these properties come with the drawback that programming and modeling errors are often hard to find. To overcome these issues, several methods and integrated frameworks for run-time debugging of the unified language have been designed, analyzed, implemented, and evaluated on non-trivial industrial applications.To fully support development using the unified language, an integrated model-driven development environment based on the Eclipse platform is proposed, designed, implemented, and used extensively. The development environment integrates advanced textual modeling, code browsing, debugging, etc. Graphical modeling is also supported by the development environment based on a proposed ModelicaML Modelica/UML/SysML profile. Finally, serialization, composition, and transformation operations on models are investigated.
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| 8. |
- Qamar, Ahsan
(författare)
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An Integrated Approach towards Model-Based Mechatronic Design
- 2011
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Mechatronic design is an enigma. On the one hand, mechatronic products promise enhanced functionality, and better performance at reduced cost. On the other hand, optimizing mechatronic design concepts is a major challenge to overcome during the design process. In the past, less attention has been paid to the life phases of a mechatronic product, and it was assumed that modifications in electronics and software will ensure that the product performs to expectation throughout its life time. However it has been realized that introducing design changes in mechatronics is not easy, since it is difficult to assess the consequences of a design decision, both during the design process of a new product, and during a design modification. It is also realized that there is a strong need to consider the product's life phases during the early phases of product development. Furthermore, it is rather difficult to perform a design optimization since it requires introducing changes across different domains, which is not well supported by the methods and tools available today. This thesis investigates the topic of mechatronic design and attacks some of the major challenges that have been identified regarding the design of mechatronic products. The goal is to provide support to the designers to facilitate better understanding of the consequences of their design choices as early as possible. The work also aims to provide support for assessing alternative design concepts, and for optimizing a design concept based on requirements, constraints and designer preferences at the time of design. The thesis highlights three main challenges related to mechatronic product development: the need for a common language during conceptual design; the inadequate information transfer between engineering domains; and the difficulty in assessing the properties of competing mechatronic concepts. A model-based integration approach is presented, and these key challenges are considered in relation to an integrated modeling and design infrastructure. The approach is illustrated through the design of two mechatronic systems- a two degrees-of-freedom robot, and a hospital bed propulsion system. Initial results provide evidence of good potential for information transfer across mechatronic domains. Although SysML was used for the case studies, some important questions were raised about its suitability as a common language for mechatronics. Suggestions for future work are: to utilize the developed infrastructure and incorporate a capability to model and assess consequences of competing design concepts; provide support for optimizing these concepts; and evaluate the usefulness of the developed infrastructure in a real-world design setting. These efforts should provide ample information to the designer for making adequate decisions during the design process.
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| 9. |
- Samlaus, Roland, 1981-
(författare)
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An Integrated Development Environment with Enhanced Domain-Specific Interactive Model Validation
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Physical modeling plays an important role in many engineering domains. For engineers it is important to model real world objects in order to simulate and assess their behavior. This is particularly true for the development of new product components such as for example wind turbines. The suitability and durability of components needs to be investigated early in the design process to avoid costs that arise when faulty designs appear during component testing.Another domain where models are frequently used is model-driven software development. Data structures and data flow are modeled, for example using UML diagrams. Code is automatically generated from the models and is refined by user-written code. Advantages of model-driven software development are the high abstraction of the code by visualization in diagrams and specialized views which display details of design aspects. Additionally, code generators are usually well tested and design patterns are used in the generated code which leads to good quality and readability.Models for simulation of wind turbines are developed at Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology.Models with different levels of detail are used during the design process, starting with simple models for basic design decisions and evaluations to high-detailed models (such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for detailed flow analysis of rotor blades). The models defined are parameter-based and do not define a tool specific syntax. Hence, these models must be transferred to a tool-specific format for simulation. Design flaws that are encountered in low-level models have an impact on the detailed models. But equally important, problems encountered in highly detailed models may require changes in the basic models. This leads to the problem that all models that have been defined for a design study, including the transformation to simulation tool models, may need to be altered. To remedy this problem, model-driven software development is used. Models are created once in our simulation environment and simulation models for the different tools are derived from those models.This dissertation focuses on the development of components with different levels of detail with the language Modelica. In order to develop models quickly, the developer needs to be assisted in creating models that are valid regarding language compliance and structural constraints and that show the expected behaviour during simulation.The Modelica Integrated Development Environment (IDE) OneModelica is introduced that provides a data model for Modelica models with the same technology as the general wind turbine models described above. Hence, Modelica code can be generated from the parametric models using existing tools. Features like project-based development allow separating models with different levels of detail, allowing the user to focus on one topic and to create libraries for certain functionality.Interactive Model validation has been implemented to assist the user during development. Hence, the user gets immediate feedback whether his models are correct according to the syntax and semantic rules defined by the language specification. Furthermore, additional semantic information and rules can be defined in a generic way to restrict the way models are composed. This can help identify design errors that can be hard to detect when investigating the code only.OneModelica allows to create valid Modelica models and to utilize arbitrary Modelica-compliant simulation tools. Simulation results can be investigated inside the IDE and an automatic test framework enables test-driven development and ensures that models behave as expected. The implementation heavily uses model-driven software development and thus shows that it is possible to create powerful IDEs for complex domain specific languages such as Modelica.
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| 10. |
- Schamai, Wladimir
(författare)
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Model-Based Verification of Dynamic System Behavior against Requirements : Method, Language, and Tool
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Modeling and simulation of complex systems is at the heart of any modern engineering activity. Engineers strive to predict the behavior of the system under development in order to get answers to particular questions long before physical prototypes or the actual system are built and can be tested in real life.An important question is whether a particular system design fulfills or violates requirements that are imposed on the system under development. When developing complex systems, such as spacecraft, aircraft, cars, power plants, or any subsystem of such a system, this question becomes hard to answer simply because the systems are too complex for engineers to be able to create mental models of them. Nowadays it is common to use computer-supported modeling languages to describe complex physical and cyber-physical systems. The situation is different when it comes to describing requirements. Requirements are typically written in natural language. Unfortunately, natural languages fail at being unambiguous, in terms of both syntax and semantics. Automated processing of naturallanguage requirements is a challenging task which still is too difficult to accomplish via computer for this approach to be of significant use in requirements engineering or verification.This dissertation proposes a new approach to design verification using simulation models that include formalized requirements. The main contributions are a new method that is supported by a new language and tool, along with case studies. The method enables verification of system dynamic behavior designs against requirements using simulation models. In particular, it shows how natural-language requirements and scenarios are formalized. Moreover, it presents a framework for automating the composition of simulation models that are used for design verification, evaluation of verification results, and sharing of new knowledge inferred in verification sessions.A new language called ModelicaML was developed to support the new method. It enables requirement formalization and integrates UML and Modelica. The language and the developed algorithms for automation are implemented in a prototype that is based on Eclipse Papyrus UML, Acceleo, and Xtext for modeling, and OpenModelica tools for simulation. The prototype is used to illustrate the applicability of the new method to examples from industry. The case studies presented start with sets of natural-language requirements and show how they are translated into models. Then, designs and verification scenarios are modeled, and simulation models are composed and simulated automatically. The simulation results produced are then used to draw conclusions on requirement violations; this knowledge is shared using semantic web technology.This approach supports the development and dynamic verification of cyber-physical systems, including both hardware and software components. ModelicaML facilitates a holistic view of the system by enabling engineers to model and verify multi-domain system behavior using mathematical models and state-of-the-art simulation capabilities. Using this approach, requirement inconsistencies, incorrectness, or infeasibilities, as well as design errors, can be detected and avoided early on in system development. The artifacts created can be reused for product verification in later development stages.
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