Towards a framework for executable systems modeling: an executable systems modeling language (ESysML)

Abstract

The Systems Modeling Language (SysML), which is the de-facto modeling standard in the systems engineering community, consists of a number of independently derived methodologies (i.e. state charts, activity diagrams etc.) which have been co-opted into a single modeling framework. This and the lack of an overarching meta-model that specifies relationships and rules governing the various language constructs precludes their uniform application across diagram types. This has resulted in a large unwieldy and at best semi-formal language specification, with adverse implications for interoperability of modeling tools and model execution. This paper presents an executable language that re-factors the SysML language schema and offers an equivalent textual syntax for model specification in tandem with the existing graphical syntax. This is aimed at supporting the development of time based simulation models useful for decision support and architecture verification and validation in systems engineering.