Applying Multi-model Based Components for Virtual Organizations

Raising the level of abstraction is an important research topic in the context of software for mobile and embedded devices. Model Driven Software Development techniques have been recognized for their ability to provide this abstraction by separating domain specific aspects from their technical implementation. Traditionally, such approaches rely on static code generation, which does not fit well in an evolving, collaborating system managed by multiple participating organizations. In order to support such dynamically (re-)configuring Virtual Organizations with high, domain specific abstraction levels, the presented approach is based on loosely coupled, run-time executed Model Based Software Components (MBSC). An MBSC is defined and implemented by potentially multiple distinct models covering all necessary domain-specific aspects (e.g. behavior, data) of the component. MBSCs are deployed to a distributed runtime architecture, where they reside in model-based component containers. System evolution during operation is supported by these plug in-extensible containers, which support additional kinds of MBSC models. A scenario for a building access system that consists of MBSCs owned by independent, yet cooperating organizations (facility management, security, departments), is analyzed in this paper. Finally, several system evolution use cases are discussed.