A Novel Executable Modeling Approach for System-of-Systems Architecture

A novel executable modeling approach is proposed for system-of-systems architecture by taking full advantage of the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) Meta-model (DM2) and defining the common model transformation specification at the metamodel level. This methodology provides more flexibility and adaptability for the automated construction of executable models directly from the architectural data rather than from static models. More specifically, the architectural data metamodel is first established to guide architectural data modeling of core data elements and associations in DM2 as the common and consistent data dictionary for architecture modeling, while the executable formalism metamodel is designed to formally define executable models. Then, the mapping rules between both metamodels are presented as the common transformation specification regardless of which modeling language or methodology is employed in developing architectural descriptions. Finally, eXtensible Markup Language (XML) technology, like XML schema languages and eXtensible Stylesheet Language specifications, is discussed to facilitate the automated transformation of executable models from architectural instance data. The feasibility of the proposed approach is illustrated using a published example where colored Petri net (CPN) is used as the executable formalism.