Transformation from Activity Diagrams with Time Properties to Timed Coloured Petri Nets

Abstract

The activity diagram is widely used for describing and understanding workflows, however, it lacks a formal semantics and cannot be manipulated by computer. In this paper, we present a transformation from UML activity diagrams with time properties to timed coloured petri nets (TCPNs) in a formal way. We extend the activity diagram with time properties and a formal model named extended activity hyper graph (EAH) is defined. By mapping this formal model to a clocked transition system (CTS), we define a weak semantics for it. A list of transformation rules are proposed to show how this can be transformed to a TCPN model. We partially prove the model equivalence of the two models. Finally, an example of Game Capture application is used to validate our approach.