About INTO-CPS

The aim of INTO-CPS project is to create an integrated “tool chain” for comprehensive Model-Based Design (MBD) of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs). The tool chain will support the multidisciplinary, collaborative modelling of CPSs from requirements, through design, down to realisation in hardware and software. This will enable traceability at all stages of the development.

INTO-CPS will support the holistic modelling of CPSs, allowing system models to be built and analysed that would otherwise not be possible using standalone tools. We will integrate existing industry-strength tools with high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 6–9) in their application domains, based centrally around Functional Mockup Interface (FMI)-compatible co-simulation. The project focuses on the pragmatic integration of these tools, making extensions in areas where a need has been recognised. The tool chain will be underpinned by well-founded semantic foundations that ensures the results of analysis can be trusted.

The tool chain will 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 chain will allow for both Test Automation (TA) and Design Space Exploration (DSE) of CPSs. The INTO-CPS technologies will be accompanied by a comprehensive set of method guidelines that describe how to adopt the INTO-CPS approach, lowering entry barriers for CPS development.


Objectives

Based on these aims, we identify five specific objectives. Success against these objectives will be demonstrated by using the INTO-CPS technology on the selected industrial case studies.

  • Build an open, well-founded tool chain for multidisciplinary model-based design of CPS that covers the full development life cycle of CPS. The tool chain will support multiple modelling paradigms and will cover multiple development activities, including requirements modelling, analysis, simulation, validation, verification, and traceability of artifacts throughout all development activities across disciplinary boundaries.
  • Provide a sound semantic basis for the tool chain. We will produce mathematical foundations to support CPS co-modelling and to underpin the tool chain. This will include semantics for FMI co-simulation, as well as SysML, discrete-event and continuous-time paradigms.
  • Provide practical methods in the form of guidelines and patterns that support the tool chain. The INTO-CPS methodology will be developed to ensure that adoption of the tool chain is cost-effective, providing industrial users with pragmatic guidance to help them determine the best modelling technologies and patterns to meet their needs.
  • Demonstrate in an industrial setting the effectiveness of the methods and tools in a variety of application domains. Four complementary industry case studies have been selected from four distinct domains that currently experience pressure to develop reliable CPSs (automotive, agricultural, railways and building automation). The case studies will be used to drive the production of the tools and methods and evaluate them.
  • Form an INTO-CPS Association to ensure that project results extend beyond the life of the project. Membership of the Association will allow future case study owners access to information, training, and competitively priced licenses at various levels of support.