Towards a Software Engineering Approach to Multi-Scale Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

In this work we propose a development methodology aiming to bridge the gap between approaches used by (e)-science communities to develop their modeling frameworks, and model driven engineering approaches used to develop modeling frameworks with similar complexity. The proposed methodology relies on a sound integration of UML-MARTE, CSP-OZ, and PyCSP. We show, in this paper, how to exploit this similarity to bridge the gap between both approaches. A first contribution of this paper consists in proposing a sound software development methodology for the construction of critical reactive systems in general and multi-scale simulation frameworks in particular. A second contribution consists in adding a new sub-profile for MARTE, the so-called SSRM (Specific Software Resource Model), dedicated to the modeling of multi-scale simulation frameworks. MUSCLE [9], a recent distributed multi-scale simulation framework, serves as a case study in this work. The proposed SSRM sub-profile is intended to define specific software resources that capture a subset of MUSCLE core concepts. A third contribution consists in sketching a formal semantic framework for our software development methodology aiming at ensuring a sound integration (from a semantic point of view) of UML-MARTE, CSP-OZ and PyCSP.

Towards a Uml Profile for the Simulation Domain

“…Both provide mechanisms to describe PDM models, and, seem to be good candidates for the modelling of (software) simulation platforms. In a previous work [22], we proposed a software engineering methodology for the development of multiscale modelling and simulation framework based on the UML-MARTE profile where an attempt to model the multiscale platform MUSCLE using the ingredients of the SRM (Software Resource Model) sub-profile of UML-MARTE have been conducted. The SRM subprofile is dedicated for the modelling of real time operating systems and middleware.…”

“…The SRM subprofile is dedicated for the modelling of real time operating systems and middleware. Although it offers a wide range of (software) modelling elements and capabilities, most of them target the specific needs of the real time and embedded systems platforms, and with regard to our previous attempt [22], do not meet specific simulation engineering needs. According to our opinion, it is more natural and comfortable for the simulation engineering community to treat and manipulate their specific native entities and concepts as first class modelling elements.…”