An Integrated Approach to Model Based Engineering with SysML, AADL and FACE

Multiple model-based engineering (MBE) frameworks have emerged to cover the many requirements for the engineering of avionics systems: from early requirement capture to the final system and embedded software generation, through refinement and V&V activities. In this paper, we consider the SysML, AADL and FACE standards. They are promoted by different standardization bodies, with different objectives. We note they are often seen as competitive, while we argue it is the opposite: there is a potential for a synergistic coupling. To date, no complete open evaluation on the feasibility of such capability has been done. In this paper, we present one workflow that illustrates the joint use of SysML, AADL and FACE. We consider a basic flight control system to exercise the proposed process and gateways between the three notations. We use SCADE Architect by ANSYS that supports the three notations in a unified workbench to illustrate refinement scenarios from one notation to another, then synchronize with SCADE Suite to complete the software development.