Abstract
SysML is a variant of UML for systems design. Several formalisations of SysML (and UML) are available. Our work is distinctive in two ways: a semantics for refinement and for a representative collection of elements from the UML4SysML profile (blocks, state machines, activities, and interactions) used in combination. We provide a means to analyse and refine design models specified using SysML. This facilitates the discovery of problems earlier in the system development lifecycle, reducing time, and costs of production. Here, we describe our semantics, which is defined using a state-rich process algebra and implemented in a tool for automatic generation of formal models. We also show how the semantics can be used for refinement-based analysis and development. Our case study is a leadership-election protocol, a critical component of an industrial application. Our major contribution is a framework for reasoning using refinement about systems specified by collections of SysML diagrams.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Available in http://symphonytool.org/.
References
OMG, OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML), Version 1.3 (2012)
Holt, J., Perry, S.: SysML for Systems Engineering. IET, London (2008)
Friedenthal, S., Moore, A., Steiner, R.: A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language, 2nd edn. Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco (2011)
Rational Rhapsody Architect for Systems Engineers. http://www-142.ibm.com/software/products/us/en/ratirhaparchforsystengi (2013)
Artisan Studio. http://atego.com/products/artisan-studio/ (2013)
Sparx Systems’ Enterprise Architect supports the Systems Modeling Language. http://sparxsystems.com/products/mdg/tech/sysml/ (2013)
Woodcock, J., Cavalcanti, A., Fitzgerald, J., Larsen, P., Miyazawa, A., Perry, S.: Features of CML: a formal modelling language for systems of systems. In: 7th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering, pp. 1–6 (2012)
Graves, H., Bijan, Y.: Using formal methods with SysML in aerospace design and engineering. Ann. Math. Artif. Intell. 63, 53–102 (2011)
Ramos, R., Sampaio, A., Mota, A.: A semantics for UML-RT active classes via mapping into circus. In: Steffen, M., Zavattaro, G. (eds.) FMOODS. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 3535. Springer, pp. 99–114 (2005)
Storrle, H.: Trace semantics of interactions in uml 2.0 abstract (2004)
Abdelhalim, I. et al.: Formal verification of Tokeneer behaviours modelled in fUML using CSP|. In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Formal Engineering Methods and Software Engineering, ICFEM’10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 371–387 (2010)
Davies, J., Crichton, C.: Concurrency and refinement in the unified modeling language. Form. Aspects Comput. 15(2–3), 118–145 (2003)
Object Management Group, Semantics of a Foundational Subset for Executable UML Models (FUML). Tech. rep., Object Management Group, 2013. OMG Document Number: formal/2013-08-06
Object Management Group, Precise Semantics Of UML Composite Structures (PSCS). Tech. rep., Object Management Group, 2014. OMG Document Number: 1.0 - Beta 1
Abdelhalim, I., Schneider, S., Treharne, H.: An optimization approach for effective formalized fuml model checking. In: Eleftherakis, G., Hinchey, M., Holcombe, M. (eds.) SEFM. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 7504. Springer, pp. 248–262 (2012)
Laurent, Y., Bendraou, R., Baarir, S., Gervais, M.-P.: Formalization of fuml: An application to process verification. In: Jarke, M., Mylopoulos, J., Quix, C., Rolland, C., Manolopoulos, Y., Mouratidis, H., Horkoff, J. (eds.) Advanced Information Systems Engineering. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 8484. Springer International Publishing, pp. 347–363 (2014)
Miyazawa, A., Lima, L., Cavalcanti, A.: Formal models of sysml blocks. In: Groves, L., Sun, J. (eds.) Formal Methods and Software Engineering. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 8144. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg (2013)
Lima, L., Didier, A., Cornélio, M.: A formal semantics for sysml activity diagrams. In: Iyoda, J., Moura, L. (eds.) Formal Methods: Foundations and Applications. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 8195. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 179–194 (2013)
Lima, L., Iyoda, J., Sampaio, A.: A formal semantics for sequence diagrams and a strategy for system analysis. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development (MODELSWARD) (2014)
Object Management Group, OMG Unified Modeling Language (OMG UML), superstructure, version 2.3. Tech. rep., OMG (2010)
OMG, OMG Unified Modeling Language (OMG UML), superstructure, version 2.4.1. Tech. rep., Object Management Group (2011)
Fitzgerald, J., Larsen, P.G.: Modelling Systems—Practical Tools and Techniques in Software Development, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2009)
Hoare, C.A.R.: Communicating Sequential Processes. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1985)
Woodcock, J., Cavalcanti, A., Coleman, J., Didier, A., Larsen, P.G., Miyazawa, A., Oliveira, M.: CML Definition 0. Tech. Rep. D23.1, COMPASS (2012)
Miyazawa, A., Albertins, L., Iyoda, J., Cornélio, M., Payne, R., Cavalcanti, A.: Final report on combining SysML and CML. Tech. rep., COMPASS (2013)
Lima, L., Miyazawa, A., Cavalcanti, A.: Case Studies of SysML to CML transformations. Tech. rep., University of York. http://www.compass-research.eu/whitepapers.html (2014)
Miyazawa, A., Cavalcanti, A.: Formal refinement in SysML. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Integrated Formal Methods. Accepted for publication (2014)
Coleman, J., Malmos, A., Larsen, P., Peleska, J., Hains, R., Andrews, Z., Payne, R., Foster, S., Miyazawa, A., Bertolini, C., Didier, A.: COMPASS tool vision for a system of systems collaborative development environment. In: 7th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering, pp. 451–456 (2012)
Gibson-Robinson, T., Armstrong, P., Boulgakov, A., Roscoe, A.: Fdr3—a modern refinement checker for csp. In: Abraham, E., Havelund, K. (eds.) Tools and Algorithms for the Construction and Analysis of Systems. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 8413. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 187–201 (2014)
Lima, L.: Report on Guidelines for Analysis of SysML Diagrams. Tech. rep., University of York. http://www.compass-research.eu/Project/Publications/SysML2CML/reportYork2014.pdf (2014)
Breu, R., Grosu, R., Huber, F., Rumpe, B., Schwerin, W.: Systems, views and models of UML. In: UML Workshop, pp. 93–108 (1997)
Lano, K., Evans, A.: Rigorous development in UML. In: Proceedings of the Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering (FASE), pp. 129–144 (1999)
Kuske, S., Gogolla, M., Kollmann, R., Kreowski, H.-J.: An integrated semantics for uml class, object and state diagrams based on graph transformation. In: Butler, M., Petre, L., Sere, K. (eds.) Integrated Formal Methods. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2335. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 11–28 (2002)
Rasch, H., Wehrheim, H.: Checking consistency in UML diagramms: classes and state machines. In: Najm, E., Nestmann, U., Stevens, P. (eds.) Formal Methods for Open Object-Based Distributed Systems (6th FMOODS’03). Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS), Paris, France, vol. 2884. Springer, Berlin/New York, pp. 229–243, Nov. 2003
Hamilton, M.H., Hackler, W.R., Margaret, C., Hamilton, H., Published, W.R.H., Permission, U.I.: A formal universal systems semantics for SysML (2007)
Graves, H., Bijan, Y.: Using formal methods with SysML in aerospace design and engineering. Ann. Math. Artif. Intell. 63(1), 53–102 (2011)
Graves, H.: Integrating reasoning with SysML. In: INCOSE Symposium, Rome, Italy (2012)
Graves, H.: Modeling structure in description logic. In: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Description Logics (DL2011), Barcelona, Spain (2011)
Café, D.C., Boulanger, F., Jacquet, C., Hardebolle, C., Santos, F.V.D.: Multi-paradigm semantics for simulating SysML models using SystemC-AMS. In: Proceedings of the Forum on Specification & Design Languages, Sept 2013
Broy, M., Cengarle, M.V., Rumpe, B.: Semantics of UML—Towards a System Model for UML: The Structural Data Model. Tech. Rep. TUM-I0612, Institut für Informatik, Technische Universität München, Feb 2006
Broy, M., Cengarle, M.V., Rumpe, B.: Semantics of UML—Towards a System Model for UML: The Control Model. Tech. Rep. TUM-I0710, Institut für Informatik, Technische Universität München, Feb 2007
Broy, M., Cengarle, M.V., Rumpe, B.: Semantics of UML—Towards a System Model for UML: The State Machine Model. Tech. Rep. TUM-I0711, Institut für Informatik, Technische Universität München, Feb 2007
Smith, G.: The Object-Z Specification Language. Kluwer, Dordrecht (2000)
Berardi, D., Calvanese, D., Giacomo, G.D.: Reasoning on UML class diagrams. Artif. Intell. 168(1–2), 70–118 (2005)
Vachoux, A., Grimm, C., Einwich, K.: Analog and mixed signal modelling with SystemC-AMS. In: ISCAS (3), pp. 914–917 (2003)
Panda, P.R.: SystemC. In: ISSS, pp. 75–80 (2001)
Grüninger, M., Menzel, C.: The process specification language (psl) theory and applications. AI Mag. 24(3), 63–74 (2003)
Lilius, J., Paltor, I.P.: The semantics of UML State Machines. Tech. rep., Turku Centre for Computer Science (1999)
Meng, S., Naixiao, Z., Barbosa, L.S.: On the semantics and refinement of uml statecharts: a coalgebraic view. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods, IEEE Computer Society (2004)
Eichner, C., Fleischhack, H., Meyer, R., Schrimpf, U., Stehno, C.: Compositional semantics for UML 2.0 sequence diagrams using Petri Nets. In: SDL Forum. LNCS, vol. 3530. Springer, pp. 133–148 (2005)
Hoare, C.A.R., Jifeng, H.: Unifying Theories of Programming. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River (1998)
Acknowledgments
This work has been funded by the EU FP7 project COMPASS (Grant Agreement 287829), the EU Horizon 2020 INTO-CPS and the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development—CNPq (Grant Agreement 483329/2012-6).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Prof. Jean-Michel Bruel.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lima, L., Miyazawa, A., Cavalcanti, A. et al. An integrated semantics for reasoning about SysML design models using refinement. Softw Syst Model 16, 875–902 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-015-0492-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10270-015-0492-y