PrimitiveC-ADL: Primitive Component Architecture Description Language

In this paper, we introduce an architecture descrip- tion language (ADL) for PCOMs (a context oriented component model). The language is described at three levels: (1) Building blocks (PCOMs context oriented components types) (2) Connec- tors, which connect components externally and internally, and (3) Architectural Configuration, which includes a full description of composition and decomposition mechanisms. The contribution is designing ADL. That supports context- orinted component by providing new architecture elements, which fulfil the requirements of designing context oriented component based applications. Context oriented component is a behavioural unit composed of static parts and dynamic parts. A PCOMs component model design was introduced in our previous work. PCOMs proposes a component model design to compose context-aware system by capturing context condition at runtime. The model is a component-based one that modifies the application architecture by subdividing components into subsystems of static and dynamic elements. We map each context condition to a composable template architectural configuration. Each context condition acts to select behavioural patterns, which combine to form application architectures. Different types of architecture elements are proposed in this work. We focus in defining the following new elements: Com- ponents’ dynamic and static parts, components’ layers, decision policies, and composition plan. Finally we introduce an ADL that fully supports context aware applications, by supporting the definition of a component as a unit of behaviour. Our ADL clearly defines the composition mechanisms, and provides proper definition for the composition’s design Patterns and composition plan. A Context oriented component is a behavioural unit composed with static parts and dynamic parts. A PCOMs component model design was introduced in our previous work. PCOMs proposes a component model design to compose context-aware system by capturing context condition at runtime. The model is a component-based one that modifies the application architecture by subdividing components into subsystems of static and dynamic elements. We map each context condition to a composable tem- plate architectural configuration. Each context condition acts to selected behavioural patterns, which combine to form application architectures

Architecture-based Evolution of Dependable Software-intensive Systems

This cumulative habilitation thesis, proposes concepts for (i) modelling and analysing dependability based on architectural models of software-intensive systems early in development, (ii) decomposition and composition of modelling languages and analysis techniques to enable more flexibility in evolution, and (iii) bridging the divergent levels of abstraction between data of the operation phase, architectural models and source code of the development phase

Petri net model decomposition - a model based approach supporting distributed execution

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Electrotécnica, Especialidade de Sistemas Digitais, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaModel-based systems development has contributed to reducing the enormous difference between the continuous increase of systems complexity and the improvement of methods and methodologies available to support systems development. The choice of the modeling formalism is an important factor for success-fully increasing productivity. Petri nets proved to be a suitable candidate for being chosen as a system specification language due to their natural support of modeling processes with concurrency, synchronization and resource sharing, as well as the mechanisms of composition and decomposition. Also having a formal representation reinforces the choice, given that the use of verification tools is fundamental for complex systems development. This work proposes a method for partitioning Petri net models into concurrent sub-models, supporting their distributed implementation. The IOPT class (Input-Output Place Transition) is used as a reference class. It is extended by directed synchronous communication channels, enabling the com- munication between the generated sub-models. Three rules are proposed to perform the partition, and restrictions of the proposed partition method are identified. It is possible to directly compose models which result from the partitioning operation, through an operation of model addition. This allows the re-use of previously obtained models, as well as the easy modification of the intended system functionalities. The algorithms associated with the implementation of the partition operation are presented, as well as its rules and other procedures. The proposed methods are validated through several case studies emphasizing control components of automation systems

Innovation of product modularity development through the integration of a formal Industrial Design framework

Growing numbers of global manufacturers are not only adopting the modularity concept, but integrating design methodologies that explicitly focused on achieving a range of competitive advantages through the enhancement of product appearance and utilities designs. The rising interest in industrial design is also an interesting symptom of changes in the approach to new product development, hence, integrating industrial design in modular product design posed a new challenge. In meeting these challenges, a formal Industrial Design framework known as InDFM (Industrial Design Framework for Modular Product Design/Development) was developed to support the innovation of design in modular product development. Within the InDFM, a methodology is developed for modular product design realisation. This research embarked with identifying the appropriate range of product as the focus of the investigation, followed by qualitative surveys on the design and development processes relevant to the selected product. The surveys were conducted in modular product companies within a range of industries related to the product, in the U.K., Belgium and Malaysia. Literatures reviews were also conducted on related domains across a range of application to understand the fundamentals of modularity and industrial design processes that are relevant to the domains. Data findings from these exercises were used to identify InDFM construction components, which were also vital to develop a technical standard for implementation of the InDFM. To evaluate its practicability, the InDFM was retrospectively applied in an existing modular product design process of a selected company. The evaluation focused on process compatibility of industrial design and modular design processes. Validation of the process compatibility emphasised the quality of integration at all stages of the design and development process. In conclusion, industrial design applications in a highly technical process of modular product design provide a design-driven innovation to complement the engineering driven innovation in the process. The combinations were proven to enhance the visual, interactive, and the feasibility contents of a modular product apart from providing a broader perspective to the objective of product modularity. InDFM also provides design practitioners with systematic design methodology to integrate both processes, thus performed as a tool for innovation that facilitate the revision of object identity, break away from the existing design rules and generating new rules. Additionally, as InDFM is a flexible methodology, innovation of modular product design through industrial design is accessible to any product company, small scale or big organisation that would want to acquire an advanced interactive version of the InDFM in the future