1. The Extensible Tool-chain for Evaluation of Architectural Models
11/13/2018
The Extensible Tool-chain for Evaluation of Architectural Models
George Edwards
Center for Systems and Software Engineering
University of Southern California

2. Project Overview Motivation Approach Provide an extensible
11/13/2018
Project Overview
Motivation
Provide an extensible
infrastructure to aid
software architects
Provide design rationale
Weigh architectural trade-offs
Understand compositions of
off-the-shelf components
Approach
Extensible modeling languages based on architectural constructs
Model interpreter framework
Implements a semantic mapping between architectural models and simulation models
Enables rapid implementation of customized dynamic analyses at the architectural level
November 13, 2018

3. Background Architecture Description Languages (ADLs)
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Background
Architecture Description Languages (ADLs)
Capture the crucial design decisions that determine the ultimate capabilities, properties, and quality of a software system
Can be leveraged throughout the software development process
Model-Driven Engineering (MDE)
Combines domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) with model analyzers, transformers, and generators
Metamodels define DSMLs, including the elements, relationships, views, and constraints
Domain-specific models are created according to the rules of the DSML
Model interpreters analyze and transform domain-specific models
November 13, 2018

4. Approach (1/2) ADLs as Domain-Specific Modeling Languages
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Approach (1/2) ADLs as Domain-Specific Modeling Languages
Codify ADLs as metamodels
Metamodel composition enables the combination of constructs from multiple ADLs within a single model
Metamodel enhancement allows the definition of new, customized ADL constructs
Reuse of existing ADLs maximizes the potential for reuse of the tool infrastructure.
Incremental language extensions enable a specific architectural analysis technique.
November 13, 2018

5. Approach (2/2) Architectural Analysis Techniques as Model Interpreters
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Approach (2/2) Architectural Analysis Techniques as Model Interpreters
Utilize a model interpreter framework for rapid implementation of domain-specific analysis techniques
Transforms architectural models into executable simulations
Provides empty “hook” methods that are implemented by the architect to perform analysis calculations and record measurements
Simulations provide a scenario-driven dynamic analysis
Results depend heavily on the environmental context (e.g., the load put on the system) and may contain elements of randomness and unpredictability (e.g., the timing of client requests)
The set of scenarios to be simulated should include high-risk situations and boundary conditions
Allows the architect to rapidly investigate the consequences of fundamental design decisions in terms of their impact on non-functional properties
November 13, 2018

6. The XTEAM Tool-chain Composes existing ADLs
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The XTEAM Tool-chain
Composes existing ADLs
xADL Core (structures and types) and Finite State Processes (behavior)
Implements a model interpreter framework
Uses xADL Core and FSP language elements
Captures domain-specific ADL extensions
End-to-end latency (includes task and process execution times)
Energy consumption (includes computational and communication energy costs)
Reliability (includes failure probabilities and recovery times)
Memory usage (includes memory usage of processes)
Implements simulation generators
Operate on the information captured in ADL extensions to perform scenario-driven analysis
November 13, 2018

7. Discrete Event Simulation
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Discrete Event Simulation
Latency
Provides, for each required interface, the response time for each invocation
Reliability
Provides the time and type of failures and the recovery time
Power Consumption
Provides the energy consumption of each host (i.e., remaining battery power) over time
Memory Usage
Provides the amount of memory being used on each host over time as the system executes
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8. Ongoing and Future Work
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Ongoing and Future Work
Evaluate XTEAM using a real-world security application that operates in an embedded, wireless environment
Integrate XTEAM with other complementary architecture-based development tools
DeSi and Prism-MW
Determine the class of analysis techniques that can be implemented with our model interpreter framework
Evaluate the feasibility of supporting other classes of analysis techniques (e.g., static analyses) via additional interpreter frameworks
Further define ways in which our approach can be integrated with widely-used architectural development processes
Architecture Trade-off Analysis Method (ATAM)
November 13, 2018