Verifying Executability of SysML Behavior Models Using Alloy Analyzer

Published

February 24, 2022

Author(s)

Jeremy Doerr, Conrad Bock, Raphael Barbau

Abstract

This report presents an approach to verifying executability of system behavior models by treating them as logical constraint problems solved using Alloy Analyzer, a non-proprietary software tool supporting a textual language for logical constraints and underlying solvers. With behavior models interpreted as constraints on execution order, Alloy can determine whether the models are executable by attempting to find executions that meet those constraints. The approach relies on a logical interpretation of behavior modeling in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) by Ontological Behavior Modeling method that unifies SysML behavior modeling based on its classification elements. This paper proposes translation between logical versions of SysML behavioral models and logical constructs in Alloy. Finally, the approach is demonstrated by translating and solving example SysML behavior models.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8388

Report Number

8388

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8388

Local Download

Keywords

SysML, behavior verification, systems modeling

Citation

Doerr, J. , Bock, C. and Barbau, R. (2022), Verifying Executability of SysML Behavior Models Using Alloy Analyzer, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8388, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932985 (Accessed October 7, 2025)