A Semantic Mapping Representation and Generation Tool Using UML for System Engineers

To address the problem of semantic heterogeneity, there has been a large body of research directed to the study of semantic mapping technologies. Although various semantic mapping technologies have been investigated, facilitating the process for domain experts to perform a semantic data integration task is not an easy task. This is because one is required not only to possess domain expertise but also to have a good understanding of knowledge engineering. This work proposes an abstract semantic mapping representation using UML for undertaking ontology mapping. The aim is to enable domain experts (particularly system engineers) to undertake mappings using the proposed UML representation that they are familiar with, while ensuring accuracy and ease of use of the automatically generated mappings. The proposed UML representation is evaluated through usability experiments (undertaken by system engineers) using a developed tool that was developed to implement the propose approach. The results show that the participants could correctly undertake the mapping task using the proposed UML representation and that the tool generated correct and executable mappings.