A structuring mechanism for embedded control systems using co-modelling and co-simulation

In most embedded control system (ECS) designs, multiple engineering disciplines and various domain-specific models are involved, such as embedded software models in discrete-event (DE) domain and dynamic plant model in continuous-time (CT) domain. In this paper, we advocate collaborative modelling and co-simulation to verify different aspects of the system as a whole before implementation. This paper proposes a development approach and structuring mechanism for CT-intensive ECS designs using co-modelling and co-simulation techniques. Based on this approach, an integrated co-model can be developed and refined using different domain-specific languages and tools. Influences from one domain to the other can be simulated via co-simulation and analysed in both perspectives. Our structuring and development process has been applied to a mobile robot using this co-simulation technique. We have experienced that structuring the co-modelling process allows us to produce co-models an co-simulations effectively. Future work is on checking for model inconsistencies during collaboration, and provide approaches to deal with this

USE OF E-PARTICIPATION TOOLS FOR SUPPORT OF POLICY MODELLING AT REGIONAL LEVEL

This paper describes application-specific and technology specifications related to ICT-based approach for the support of policy modelling as proposed in the EU funded FP7 ICT OCOPOMO project. In this particular approach strategic planning is supported by a combination of narrative scenarios, agent-based modelling, and e-Participation tools (all integrated via an ICT e-Governance platform). The policy model for a given domain is created iteratively using cooperation of several stakeholder groups (decision makers, analysts, companies, civic society, and the general public). In this paper we will provide principles and key concepts of collaborative policy modelling, but the main focus is on the discussion of high-level architecture of ICT tools and software components, envisioned platform functionality and preliminary view of detailed architecture and technological details for implementation and integration of software components. An overall approach is presented also from the view of a particular pilot application, built around development of a strategy of renewable energy use. The process of development of a new strategy is described using standard BPMN. The process models correspond to AS-IS and TO-BE (i.e. after incorporation of scenario generation and policy modelling) situations

A meta-modelling language definition for specific domain

Model Driven software development has been considered to be a further software construction technology following object-oriented software development methods and with the potential to bring new breakthroughs in the research of software development. With deepening research, a growing number of Model Driven software development methods have been proposed. The model is now widely used in all aspects of software development. One key element determining progress in Model Driven software development research is how to better express and describe the models required for various software components. From a study of current Model Driven development technologies and methods, Domain-Specific Modelling is suggested in the thesis as a Model Driven method to better realise the potential of Model-Driven Software Development. Domain-specific modelling methods can be successfully applied to actual software development projects, which need a flexible and easy to extend, meta-modelling language to provide support. There is a particular requirement for modelling languages based on domain-specific modelling methods in Meta-modelling as most general modelling languages are not suitable. The thesis focuses on implementation of domain-specific modelling methods. The "domain" is stressed as a keystone of software design and development and this is what most differentiates the approach from general software development process and methods. Concerning the design of meta-modelling languages, the meta-modelling language based on XML is defined including its abstract syntax, concrete syntax and semantics. It can support description and construction of the domain meta-model and the domain application model. It can effectively realise visual descriptions, domain objects descriptions, relationships descriptions and rules relationships of domain model. In the area of supporting tools, a meta-meta model is given. The meta-meta model provides a group of general basic component meta-model elements together with the relationships between elements for the construction of the domain meta-model. It can support multi-view, multi-level description of the domain model. Developers or domain experts can complete the design and construction of the domain-specific meta-model and the domain application model in the integrated modelling environment. The thesis has laid the foundation necessary for research in descriptive languages through further study in key technologies of meta-modelling languages based on Model Driven development

AI and data-driven infrastructures for workflow automation and integration in advanced research and industrial applications

The use of AI and data-driven technologies and infrastructures for innovation and development of advanced research and industrial applications requires a strong degree of integration across a broad range of tools, disciplines and competences. In spite of a huge disruptive potential, the role of AI for research and development in the context of industrial applications is often hampered by the lack of consolidated and shared practices for transforming domain-specific processes for generating knowledge into added value. These issues are particularly striking for small-medium enterprises (SMEs), which must adopt clear and effective policies for implementing successful technology transfer paths for innovation. The activities of the DAIMON Lab of the CNR-ISMN focus on the design, development, implementation and application of integrated modelling, data-driven and AI methods and infrastructures for innovation in hi-tech applications. Our approach is based on the development of horizontal platforms, which can be applied to a broad range of vertical use-cases. Namely, we target the realisation of high-throughput workflows, related to specific domains and use cases, which are able to collect and process simulations and/or physical data and information. The implementation of an interoperable integration framework is a prerequisite for further application of AI tools for predictivity and automation. With a strong focus on the development of key enabling technologies (KETs), such as advanced materials, the approach pursued is extended to a broad range of application fields and scenarios of interest in industry, including electronic and ICT, advanced and sustainable manufacturing, energy, mobilit

User Experience Modeling Method for a Vision of Knowledge Graph-based Process Automation

This research proposes a User Experience modelling method which is an early-stage component of a research project’s vision of innovating Robotic Process Automation with the help of Knowledge Graphs and Natural Language Processing. The core idea is to integrate, in RDF graphs, a representation of the user experience and contextual information about the organization and relevant data sources for that experience. Existing RPA tools use workflow repositories that employ XML-based descriptions for both processes and UI elements. They also provide built-in workflow designers that are not tailored for design-time analysis (e.g., model queries, reporting, reasoning) but instead are just raising the abstraction level of traditional scripting – from writing code to visually connecting pre-programmed pieces of functionality. The proposal detailed in this paper makes use of Domain-Specific Modeling Language engineering to repurpose an open source BPMN implementation for describing User Experience. We rely on a metamodeling platform to ensure that the resulting diagrams are also machine-readable and take advantage of an existing plug-in to make them available as RDF graphs that can be used by other components of an automation architecture. The paper focuses on the modelling method and tool as one of the early steps of the project’s vision

The P3 platform: an approach and software system for developing diagrammatic model-based methods in design research

Many issues in design and design management have been explored by building models which capture the relationships between different aspects of the problem at hand. These models require computer support to construct and analyse. However, appropriate modelling tools can be time-consuming to develop in a research environment. Reflecting upon five design research projects, this paper proposes that such projects can be facilitated by recognising the iterative and tightly-coupled nature of research and tool development, and by attempting to minimise the effort of solution prototyping within this process. Our approach is enabled by a software platform which can be rapidly configured to implement many conceivable modelling approaches. This configurability is complemented by an emerging library of modelling and analysis approaches tailored to explore design process systems. The platform-based approach enables any mix of modelling concepts to be easily created. We propose it could thus help researchers to explore a wide range of questions without being constrained to existing conventions for modelling – or for model integration

Embedding Requirements within the Model Driven Architecture

The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) brings benefits to software development, among them the potential for connecting software models with the business domain. This paper focuses on the upstream or Computation Independent Model (CIM) phase of the MDA. Our contention is that, whilst there are many models and notations available within the CIM Phase, those that are currently popular and supported by the Object Management Group (OMG), may not be the most useful notations for business analysts nor sufficient to fully support software requirements and specification. Therefore, with specific emphasis on the value of the Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) for business analysts, this paper provides an example of a typical CIM approach before describing an approach which incorporates specific requirements techniques. A framework extension to the MDA is then introduced; which embeds requirements and specification within the CIM, thus further enhancing the utility of MDA by providing a more complete method for business analysis

An Embedded Domain Specific Language to Model, Transform and Quality Assure Business Processes in Business-Driven Development

In Business-Driven Development (BDD), business process models are produced by business analysts. To ensure that the business requirements are satisfied, the IT solution is directly derived through a process of model refinement. If models do not contain all the required technical details or contain errors, the derived implementation would be incorrect and the BDD lifecycle would have to be repeated. In this project we present a functional domain specific language embedded in Haskell, with which: 1) models can rapidly be produced in a concise and abstract manner, 2) enables focus on the specifications rather than the implementation, 3) ensures that all the required details, to generate the executable code, are specified, 4) models can be transformed, analysed and interpreted in various ways, 5) quality assures models by carrying out three types of checks; by Haskell.s type checker, at construction-time and by functions that analyse the soundness of models, 6) enables users to define quality assured composite model transformations