Model-based tool for Tactical Data Links

Ajit, S., Holmes, C., Johnson, J., Kolovos, D. S. and Paige, R. F. (2017) Model-based tool support for Tactical Data Links: an experience report from the defence domain. Software & Systems Modeling. 16(2), pp. 559-586. 1619-1366

DOI: 10.1007/s10270-015-0480-2

Abstract
The Tactical Data Link (TDL) allows the exchange of information between cooperating platforms as part of an integrated command and control (C2) system. Information exchange is facilitated by adherence to a complex, message-based protocol defined by document-centric standards. In this paper, we report on a recent body of work investigating migration from a document-centric to a model-centric approach within the context of the TDL domain, motivated by a desire to achieve a positive return on investment. The model-centric approach makes use of the Epsilon technology stack and provides a significant improvement to both the level of abstraction and rigour of the network design. It is checkable by a machine and, by virtue of an MDA-like approach to the separation of domains and model transformation between domains, is open to integration with other models to support more complex workflows, such as by providing the results of interoperability analyses in human-readable domain-specific reports conforming to an accepted standard.

More information can be found at: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/7750/

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with. Twitter: @scottturneruon

Automated test case generation from domain specific models of high-level requirements

Recent paper published by Oyindamola Olajubu on software test case generation from models has been published at ACM RACS 2015, At Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic

 Automated test case generation from domain specific models of high-level requirements


Abstract
Model-based software development has been shown to improve productivity and quality of software through automation. This involves using abstractions or models at several stages of development. This work reports on preliminary attempts to automate the generation of test cases from software requirement models using an industrial case study. The requirements are represented using a modeling notation and test cases are automatically generated using model to text transformation techniques. 

Authors

Contact: Oyindamola Olajubu University of Northampton, UK

oyindamola.olajubu@northampton.ac.uk

Scott Turner University of Northampton, UK

scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk

Suraj Ajit University of Northampton, UK

suraj.ajit@northampton.ac.uk

Scott Thomson GE Aviation Cheltenham, UK

scott1.thomson@ge.com

Mark Johnson University of Northampton, UK

mark.johnson@northampton.ac.uk

Mark Edwards GE Aviation, Cheltenham, UK

mark.edwards4@ge.com

More details can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282849997_Automated_test_case_generation_from_domain_specific_models_of_high-level_requirements

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Model-Based Tool Support for Tactical Data Links: An Experience Report from the Defence Domain

(2015) Ajit, S, Holmes, C, Johnson, J, Kolovos, D, Paige, R: Model-Based Tool Support for Tactical Data Links: An Experience Report from the Defence Domain. Software and Systems Modeling, DOI 10.1007/s10270-015-0480-2, ISSN: 1619-1366, Springer Berlin Heidelberg. 

Abstract:
The Tactical Data Link (TDL) allows the exchange of information between cooperating platforms as part of an integrated command and control (C2) system. Information exchange is facilitated by adherence to a complex, message-based protocol defined by document-centric standards. In this paper, we report on a recent body of work investigating migration from a document-centric to a model-centric approach within the context of the TDL domain, motivated by a desire to achieve a positive return on investment. The model-centric approach makes use of the Epsilon technology stack and provides a significant improvement to both the level of abstraction and rigour of the network design. It is checkable by a machine and, by virtue of an MDA-like approach to the separation of domains and model transformation between domains, is open to integration with other models to support more complex workflows, such as by providing the results of interoperability analyses in human-readable domain-specific reports conforming to an accepted standard.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10270-015-0480-2

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Model-Based Development (MBD)

Welcome to Oyindamola Olajubu who has recently joined the Department of Computing and Immersive Technology, University of Northampton as a PhD researcher on a collaborative project  with GE Aviation Systems on Model-Based software development. A summary of the project can be found below.

Project Description

Model-Based Development (MBD) is seeing widespread adoption in a variety of domains within industry, especially in aviation. Industries around the world are reporting significant benefits from its use. However, the extent to which MBD can be used effectively in the software development lifecycle is unclear.

GE Aviation Systems primarily uses natural language (textual ‘shall’ statements) to express software requirements. These textual statements are often ambiguous, untestable, incorrect, missing detail, etc. Finding this out late in the development lifecycle proves very expensive. To this end, GE Aviation Systems has turned to MBD. They still use textual statements to express software requirements, but they supplement the requirements writing activity with modelling and simulation so that engineers gain a better understanding of the requirements and their faults. The models can then be refined and improved and serve as the Software Design artifacts that are used to auto-generate code. Currently, this means they have to write tests manually to test the design against the requirements. The study will investigate whether they could use models to express requirements and use those models to auto-generate test cases for testing the design model. This would then increase their productivity. To summarise, the research project will study the feasibility of model based tool support to capture requirements and automate requirements based testing.

Supervisors
Dr Suraj Ajit
Dr Mark Johnson
Dr Scott Turner