Claudia Szabo is leading research into the development of multi-modelling capabilities within model-based development environments. Existing modeling systems cannot model all aspects of a system at the desired granularity. This is because systems are composed from various domain-specific heterogeneous components. Moreover, system components are often described both in terms of structure and behaviour, which are difficult to capture in a single modelling formalism. Early examples of multimodelling projects enhance model precision by shifting the focus toward model-centric systems engineering and development, which does not require or depend on the existence of a general-purpose modelling language. For example, in one approach, models use a suite of domain-specific modelling languages (DSML) which model specific aspects of a system. This permits automated model updates, executions, and impact assessment. However, several challenges remain, such as semantically valid transformations of data during inter-model exchanges, and ensuring and enforcing semantic correctness in inter-model data exchanges.
In this context, the multimodelling programme will contribute towards a semantically-aware environment that will support the development of a generic combat system implementation, needed for combat system performance analysis. The environment will enforce semantic correctness in inter-model data exchange as well as enhance the visualisation of data flow towards a better understanding of inter-model coupling. It is anticipated that the initial target DSMLs will be derived from a combination of the CORE MBSE tool, the Modelica System Modelling tool, the Scilab / Matlab mathematical tool and/or the CUTS SEM tool, although this may vary after a more detailed examination of the tool DSML constraints and tool availability.
Research Contracts
Review of Model Driven Software Engineering Practice: Extending the Reference Combat management and System Execution Modelling Capability. K. Falkner, N. Falkner and C. Szabo, DSTO Research Contract ($490,000) (2012-2013)
Review of Model Driven Software Engineering Practice: Multimodelling. C. Szabo, DSTO Research Contract ($30,000) (2012)