Semi-automatic Identification and Representation of Subsystem Variability in Simulink Models

Abstract

Abstract-This paper presents a semi-automated framework for identifying and representing different kinds of variability in Simulink models. Based on the observed variants found in similar subsystem patterns inferred using Simone, a text-based model clone detection tool, we propose a set of variability operators for Simulink models. By applying these operators to six example systems, we are able to represent the variability in their similar subsystem patterns as a single subsystem template directly in the Simulink environment. The product of our framework is a single consolidated subsystem model capable of expressing the observed variability across all instances of each inferred pattern. The process of pattern inference and variability analysis is largely automated and can be easily applied to other collections of Simulink models.The framework is aimed at providing assistance to engineers to identify, understand, and visualize patterns of subsystems in a large model set. This understanding may help in reducing maintenance effort and bug identification at an early stage of the software development.

SimNav: Simulink navigation of model clone classes

“…Another use case for SimNav is the ability to create variability models of near-miss clone classes [3]. The ability for SimNav to take a clone class, which is mostly similar, with a few minor differences, and merge them into a single variability model, would allow for the automation of previous work on variability and model product lines, and further improve the maintenance of Simulink models.…”

“…The detection of patterns can lead to the creation of library blocks for commonly occurring exact clones, and the detection of near-miss clones can assist in Simulink variability modelling [3]. The detection of clones over model versions reveals information that will help in the maintenance over time by identifying sections of models that require additional attention and testing, as they evolve more frequently than others, as well as sections that evolve less frequently, or not at all.…”

Incremental feature model synthesis for clone-and-own software systems in MATLAB/Simulink

“…Otherwise, the FM must be recreated repeatedly, which would render the SPL adoption infeasible for families of large and complex systems, e.g., MATLAB/Simulink models. Although work exists to identify variability in MATLAB/Simulink models, the focus is mostly on realization artifacts [2,35,53,60,67].…”