Bridging the Gap Between System Architecture and Software Design using Model Transformation

A well-known challenge when adopting Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for building reliable software-intensive systems is the incompatibility between the tools and underlying formalisms used for different engineering tasks. Incompatibility can lead to redundant work, less reliable software development processes, and can hinder traceability between development artifacts. Stellantis, our industrial partner, encountered difficulties bridging the gap between SysML system architecture models and AUTOSAR software architecture models. To address this, we propose a model-to-model transformation that refines a SysML system architecture model into an AUTOSAR software model. The approach is developed to enhance the reliability of the process of producing software designs while utilizing tools that have been proven to apply to the industrial development of reliable systems. Our approach has been evaluated by Stellantis’ system and software architects. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach through an example and share our experiences and lessons learned.