The Cyber-Physical Systems group works towards integrated “tool chains” for comprehensive Model-Based Design (MBD) of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). This supports the holistic modelling of CPSs, allowing system models to be built and analysed that would otherwise not be possible using standalone tools. We integrate existing industry-strength tools with high Technology Readiness Levels in their application domains, based centrally around Functional Mockup Interface (FMI)-compatible co-simulation. The focus is on the pragmatic integration of these tools, making extensions in areas where a need has been recognised. The tool chains are underpinned by well-founded semantic foundations that ensure the results of analysis can be trusted.
The tool chains provide powerful analysis techniques for CPSs, including connection to SysML; generation and static checking of FMI interfaces; model checking; Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) simulation, supported by code generation. The tool chains will allow for both Test Automation (TA) and Design Space Exploration (DSE) of CPSs. The technologies will be accompanied by comprehensive method guidelines that describe how to adopt the approach, lowering entry barriers for CPS development. More recently research on exploiting models of CPSs and systems of CPSs (CPSoSs) in a digital twin context. A digital twin is a digital replica of physical assets, processes, people, places, systems or devices[1], created and maintained in order to answer questions about its physical counterpart. We focus on how digital twins can be created from models developed during the engineering of a CPS, and can be used during its deployment. Aarhus University's Centre for Digital Twins is led by Peter Gorm Larsen.
OVERTURE MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF DISCRETE AND REAL-TIME SYSTEMS
The Overture Tool is an open-source integrated development environment (IDE) for developing and analysing VDM models. The tool suite is written entirely in Java and built on top of the Eclipse platform.
CRESCENDO CO-SIMULATION FOR MODELLING AND DESIGNING CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
The Crescendo Tool is a modelling environment for combining continuous timesystem models with discrete event controller models through co-simulation to allow multidisciplinary modelling, including modelling of faults and fault tolerance mechanisms. The Crescendo Tool was developed in the DESTECS EU FP7 project.
SYMPHONY MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF SYSTEM OF SYSTEMS
The Symphony Tool supports developers in building models of Systems of Systems and analysing the global System-of-System-level properties of these models for exploring alternative architectures and allocations of responsibilities to constituent subsystems.
The Symphony Tool was developed in the COMPASS EU FP7 project.
INTO-CPS TOOL CHAIN
The INTO-CPS tool chain for comprehensive Model-Based Design (MBD) of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). The tool chain supports the multidisciplinary, collaborative modelling of CPSs from requirements, through design, down to realisation in hardware and software. This enables traceability at all stages of the development. The IP from this project has been transferred to the INTO-CPS Association after the completion of the project.
INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE, HEALING ENVIRONMENTS
We are developing new artificial intelligence-based computer-aided architectural design (CAAD) tools for expressing and rapidly checking health and safety requirements based on how people act and perceive the environment, that can handle the enormous size and scale of real buildings. This project will incorporate concepts of people, perception and behaviour into the building model itself within CAAD tools, at a fundamental level.
