An analytical summary

Muhammad Rashida, Muhammad Waseem Anwarb, Aamir M.Khanc (2015) reviewed the literature about tools selection in model based system engineering (MBSE) for embedded systems in their research. They mentioned that previous researchers put lots of efforts in MBSE field, but there is still a challenge to select appropriate tools for embedded systems requirements due to the diverse characteristics of embedded systems. Therefore, the purpose of their literature review is to identify recent researches where MBSE method has been utilized for embedded systems. They proposed and answered four driving questions, one of which is “What are the significant tools for requirement specifications, model transformation, verification and simulation (validation) activities in the context of MBSE for embedded systems?”(p.151)

The authors identified 61 research published from 2008 to 2014 and classified them into six categories (general category, modeling categories, property specification categories, model transformation categories, model verification categories, simulation categories) and 39 preliminary tools to support MBSE approach for the development of embedded systems. They found MBSE activities can be affected by general characteristics and activity specific characteristics which are related to the corresponding MBSE activities such as modeling, transformation, verification and validation. The authors indicated these results “will facilitate researchers, practitioners and developers to select appropriate MBSE approach and tools according to their requirements.”(p.161). This means others research, practitioners and developers can take advantage of this research to choose the best MBSE approach and tools.

Focused Analysis of tools selection

One key concept of this literature review is tool selection, which is also the object of study. However, the authors did not introduce explicitly the definition of tools selection because they may think this is a common concept in MBSE field. According to article, tools selection is a kind of approach to perform the specific MBSE activities. Certainly, authors used various key terms to limit or explain tools selection. For example authors use “tools selection in model based system engineering for embedded systems” as a key term to modify the key concept. They narrow their research scope of tools selection for embedded systems in the MBSE field. There is a very long key term “the significant tools for requirement specifications, model transformation, verification and simulation (validation) activities in the context of MBSE for embedded systems” which adds more information to key concepts. This noun phrase includes the word “tools”, the phrase “requirement specifications …” implies “selection” and the preposition phrase “in the context …” limits the scope of key concept. The authors also cited other researches to build meaning into the key concept. For instance, they introduced a specific tool as an example to explain “tools selection”. “Knorreck and Apvrille (2011) provided detailed solution for transformation and verification by using Ttool” (p.155), where transformation and verification are kinds of MBSE activities and Ttool is a kind of specific selected tools.

Language Pattern Analysis

To explain the key concept “tools selection”, the authors used noun phrases to compose a series of key terms. Most key terms in this research include word “tools” and word “selection”, but they are modified by adjectives and preposition phrases.  Here are some examples:

Appropriate tools selection to perform particular MBSE activities (one adjective and one preposition phrase)

Important tools for the development of embedded systems (one adjective and one preposition phrase)

Selection of appropriate MBSE tools according to their requirements (one preposition phrase)

In my opinion, authors usually use noun phrase to express key concept and then use several modifiers, such as adjectives and preposition phrases, to identify, explain, limit or expand this key concept. As a result, the key concept will become more specific or more precise. Sometimes, authors used “these MBSE tools” to refer to the selected tools that they mentioned before. The reason why authors shortened key terms is to avoid repeating the same key terms and make language brief and concise.

Pursuing a Line of Inquiry

In this literature review, authors introduced four kinds of MBSE activities. Then, according to these activities, they classified the diverse tools into two types of characteristics. But the authors did not identify the relationship between MBSE activities and tools characteristics. I feel confused about how they analyze these system engineering activities. The authors also mentioned SYSML which is a systematic modeling language I learned a little before. I am wondering how they utilize SYSML to analyze the systems modeling. What is the connection between MBSE activities and engineering modeling? How do the practitioners or engineers analyze these activities?