@conference {Gianni20162644, title = {A model-driven and simulation-based method to analyze building evacuation plans}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference}, volume = {2016-February}, year = {2016}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {2644-2655}, publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}, organization = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}, abstract = {

Modern buildings are often expected to satisfy minimum safety requirements to define upper bounds for safety metrics, such as evacuation time. The building design must therefore consider prediction of these metrics for a set of representative evacuation scenarios. These scenarios can be rather complex, and often can be investigated only using building evacuation simulators. However, these simulators might require considerable development effort, and their use might therefore become less convenient, for time and cost issues. In this respect, this paper introduces a model-driven method to automatically develop building evacuation simulators from informal specifications of building evacuation scenarios, i.e., building plans and behavioral descriptions of evacuees. Specifically, the paper shows how a floor plan develops in the structural characteristics of an Extended Queueing Network (EQN) model and how the behavioral description can be used to parameterize the EQN model. The paper also presents an example application along with preliminary validation issues. {\textcopyright} 2015 IEEE.

}, keywords = {Architectural design, Behavioral descriptions, Building components, Building design, Building evacuation, Buildings, Complex networks, Model-driven method, Modern buildings, Queueing networks, Safety requirements, Simulation-based method, Simulators, Structural characteristics}, isbn = {9781467397438}, issn = {08917736}, doi = {10.1109/WSC.2015.7408372}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84962833056\&partnerID=40\&md5=0f1ea728c9ece7012654f0b378a1486c}, author = {Gianni, D. and Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2016436, title = {Modeling-To-simulation: Transformation approaches to boost automation in modeling \& simulation}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {48}, number = {9}, year = {2016}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {436-443}, abstract = {

The use of automated transformation approaches based on model-driven principles and standards promises to be a significant enablcr of time, effort and cost savings in the Modeling and Simulation (M\&S) field. This paper specifically addresses the distributed simulation (DS) domain, which allows to naturally cope with the ever growing complexity and distributed nature of modern systems. Unfortunately, the use of DS in a system development lifecycle can be a challenging issue due to the fact that: i) the use of DS frameworks and standards requires significant and specific technical skills system engineers are usually not familiar with; ii) the development of a DS is an effort-, time- demanding and error-prone activity. In this respect, this paper shows the benefits of using a model-driven transformation approach to the development of DS systems. Specifically, the paper presents and compares two main approaches, namely the conventional approach, based on a standard model- driven process, and an innovative approach that exploits the SimArch layered architecture. {\textcopyright} 2016 Society for Modeling \& Simulation International (SCS).

}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84994613927\&partnerID=40\&md5=337a29162550b91004048cf1479cb212}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2015xi, title = {Message from program chairs: WETICE 2015}, booktitle = {Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 24th International Conference on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructures for Collaborative Enterprises, WETICE 2015}, year = {2015}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {xi}, publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}, organization = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.}, isbn = {9781467376921}, doi = {10.1109/WETICE.2015.5}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84943806133\&partnerID=40\&md5=cfccfa97f5ffa5dc9e2168219007fc46}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Drira, K.}, editor = {Reddy S.M.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2015213, title = {A model-driven framework for distributed simulation of autonomous systems}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {47}, number = {8}, year = {2015}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {213-220}, publisher = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, organization = {The Society for Modeling and Simulation International}, abstract = {

The adoption of systems with autonomous capabilities is becoming more and more relevant in many real-world operational scenarios, in which risky operations have to be carried out (e.g., a military battlefield or a search-and-rescue operation). In this context, innovative approaches should be introduced at design time to ensure that the system will achieve the mission objectives at operation time. To this purpose, distributed simulation techniques have shown to be effective to deal with the inherent complexity of the environment to be simulated, which generally includes several interacting entities. Unfortunately, currently available distributed simulation standards, such as HLA (High Level Architecture), require a non-negligible effort and significant skills in terms of both simulation methodologies and related implementation technologies. In this respect, this paper focuses on the simulationbased analysis of systems with autonomous capabilities and introduces a model-driven approach to support the automated generation of HLA-based distributed simulations. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and allows system designers to carry out a timely and cost-effective simulation-based analysis of the operational system without being required to own specific distributed simulation skills. {\textcopyright} 2015 Society for Modeling \& Simulation International (SCS).

}, keywords = {Autonomous systems, Cost effectiveness, Distributed simulation techniques, Distributed simulations, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation technique, Search and rescue operations, Simulation-based analysis, Software architecture}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928155948\&partnerID=40\&md5=9e8205a446169e040469dff647e9cfa3}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E.}, editor = {Wang M.H., Barros F., D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio A., Zacharewicz G.} } @book {Bocciarelli2015425, title = {A model-driven method for the design-time performance analysis of service-oriented software systems}, series = {Modeling and Simulation of Computer Networks and Systems: Methodologies and Applications}, year = {2015}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {425-450}, publisher = {Elsevier Inc.}, organization = {Elsevier Inc.}, abstract = {

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is one of the prominent architectural paradigms recently adopted in the software development field. According to SOA principles, a distributed software system can be seen as an orchestration of software services deployed and executed onto networked hosts. The design-time analysis of SOA-based software systems demands new approaches that take into account both the inherent complexity and the architectural characteristics of such systems. In this respect, simulation-based approaches have proven to be effective to obtain quantitative predictions of system performance. Specifically, this chapter explains distributed simulation as a valuable technique to deal with the intrinsic distributed nature of SOA-based systems. Unfortunately, the adoption of distributed simulation requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort due to the complexity of currently available distributed simulation standards and technologies. This chapter introduces an automated method to reduce the effort and make distributed simulation easier to use. The method takes as input a design model of the SOA-based software system and yields as output the corresponding simulation model, ready to be deployed and transparently executed onto either a local or a distributed simulation engine. The design model is specified as a UML (Unified Modeling Language) model extended by use of the SoaML (Service-oriented architecture Modeling Language) profile, while the simulation model is specified in jEQN, a domain-specific language for the simulation of EQN (Extended Queueing Network) models. jEQN is part of SimArch, a layered architecture that eases the use of distributed simulation by hiding all the implementation details of the distributed execution platform. The proposed method is founded on the use of automated model transformations, with specific reference to standards and languages provided by the MDA (Model Driven Architecture). The joint use of automated model transformations and SimArch allows the user to effortlessly obtain, at design time, the performance-oriented distributed simulation model of the SOA-based system under development, thus giving system designers the ability to predict the performance behavior of the to-be system and/or to evaluate the impact on performance of different design alternatives. The chapter also presents an example application that shows how involved stakeholders can effectively benefit from the application of the proposed method. {\textcopyright} 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

}, isbn = {9780128011584; 9780128008874}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-800887-4.00014-6}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940029561\&partnerID=40\&md5=034757f8dc6f541fc5f0bb51a78331da}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli201448, title = {A methodological template for model driven systems engineering}, booktitle = {CEUR Workshop Proceedings}, volume = {1300}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {48-58}, publisher = {CEUR-WS}, organization = {CEUR-WS}, abstract = {The advent of formal modeling languages (e.g., UML and SysML) and system architecture frameworks (e.g., DoDAF and MODAF) has given systems engineers the ability to effectively describe the requirements as well as the behavior and the structure of systems. Approaches founded on the use of modeling languages and frameworks are grouped under the banner of MBSE (Model Based Systems Engineering). The basic idea is that a model evolves over the system development life-cycle, until it becomes the built-to baseline. In this paper, we consider a modeling approach based on the use of a metamodeling architecture that focuses on the use of models as the primary artifacts of system development. We specifically address the use of MDA (Model Driven Architecture), which allows to increase the level of automation when evolving models from the very abstract representation of a system down to the system implementation, thus making easier (i.e., at reduced cost and effort) the analysis, development and testing activities. By applying MDA concepts and standards to MBSE approaches we obtain what we refer to as MDSE (Model Driven Systems Engineering). The paper illustrates a methodological template for MDSE and shows its application to the development of a software-intensive system. Copyright {\textcopyright} held by the authors.}, keywords = {Abstract representation, Application programs, Development and testing, Formal modeling language, Level of automations, Life cycle, MDA(model driven architecture), Model-based systems engineering, Software architecture, Software design, Software intensive systems, Standards, System implementation, Systems engineering}, issn = {16130073}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84915806250\&partnerID=40\&md5=bd972de1f5baef3c33fbef58e187c81d}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Caponi, E. and Giglio, A. and Paglia, E.}, editor = {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio A., Leardi C., Arrichiello V., Garro A., Poloni C., Tundis A.} } @article {Bocciarelli2014573, title = {A model-driven method for enacting the design-time QoS analysis of business processes}, journal = {Software and Systems Modeling}, volume = {13}, number = {2}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {573-598}, publisher = {Springer Verlag}, abstract = {

Business Process Management (BPM) is a holistic approach for describing, analyzing, executing, managing, and improving large enterprise business processes. A business process can be seen as a flow of tasks that are orchestrated to accomplish well-defined goals such as goods production or services delivery. From an IT perspective, BPM is closely related to a business process automation approach carried out by use of IT standards and technologies, such as service-oriented architectures (SOAs) and Web Services. This paper specifically focuses on fully automated business processes that are defined and executed as orchestrations of software services. In a BPM context, the ability to predict at design time the business process behavior assumes a strategic relevance, both to early assess whether or not the business goals are achieved and to gain a competitive advantage. A business process is typically specified by use of Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), the standard language for the high-level description of business processes. Unfortunately, BPMN does not support the characterization of the business process in terms of nonfunctional or QoS properties, such as performance and reliability. To overcome such a limitation, this paper introduces Performability-enabled BPMN (PyBPMN), a lightweight BPMN extension for the specification of performance and reliability properties. PyBPMN enables the design time prediction of the business processes behavior, in terms of performance and reliability properties. Such prediction activity requires the use of models that are to be first built and then evaluated. In this respect, this work introduces a model-driven method that exploits PyBPMN to predict, at design time, the performance and the reliability of a business process, either to select the process configuration that provides the best behavior or to check if a given configuration satisfies the overall requirements. The proposed model-driven method that enacts the automated analysis of a business process behavior embraces the complete business process development cycle, from the specification phase down to the implementation phase. The paper also describes how the proposed model-driven method is implemented. The several model transformations at the core of the method have been implemented by use of QVT, and the standard language for specifying model transformations provided by OMG{\textquoteright}s MDA. The availability of such automated model transformations allows business analysts to predict the process behavior with no extra effort and without being required to own specific skills of performance or reliability theory, as shown by use of an example application. {\textcopyright} 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

}, keywords = {Administrative data processing, Automation, Availability, BPMN, Business Process, Competition, Design, Enterprise resource management, Forecasting, High level languages, Information services, LQN, Mathematical models, MDA, Performance, Quality of service, Reliability, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Software architecture, Specifications, Web services}, issn = {16191366}, doi = {10.1007/s10270-013-0345-5}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84899754418\&partnerID=40\&md5=ac7ae348f9d39ccb87a9aedb7d7524bd}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2014155, title = {Modeling approaches for the design and analysis of complex systems}, booktitle = {CEUR Workshop Proceedings}, volume = {1300}, year = {2014}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {155-157}, publisher = {CEUR-WS}, organization = {CEUR-WS}, abstract = {The design of a complex system traditionally relies on a systems engineering process that makes use of text documents and engineering data in multiple formats. Copyright {\textcopyright} held by the authors.}, keywords = {Design and analysis, Engineering data, Large scale systems, Model approach, Systems engineering, Systems engineering process, Text document}, issn = {16130073}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84915749690\&partnerID=40\&md5=0285eef420e1ec67847f94d5843ece34}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Tirone, L.}, editor = {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio A., Leardi C., Arrichiello V., Garro A., Poloni C., Tundis A.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2012234, title = {A method for the prediction of software reliability}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 6th IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering and Applications, SEA 2002}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 16}, pages = {234-240}, publisher = {Acta Press}, organization = {Acta Press}, abstract = {This paper deals with the reliability assessment of component-based software to predict the software product reliability at the early stage. The proposed approach transforms a specification written in a semi-formal language into a stochastic model to be used for reliability evaluation. The paper assumes an UML-based system specification and introduces a method to map the specification onto a failure model. The method enables software designers with no specific knowledge of reliability theory to predict at design time the reliability of the final product, thus introducing lifecycle reliability prediction into their development best practices. The method is illustrated by use of an application case study that deals with the development of distributed software. A software architecture that allows the method to be easily integrated into UML-based software development environments is also introduced. The architecture is based on the use of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to represent both the UML system specification and the failure model.}, keywords = {Application programs, Automatic modeling, Component based software, Forecasting, Formal languages, Reliability assessments, Reliability Evaluation, Reliability prediction, Reliability theory, Semi-formal languages, Software development environment, Software engineering, Software reliability, Specifications, XML, XML (extensible markup language)}, isbn = {0889863237; 9780889863231}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904159409\&partnerID=40\&md5=e3371411e5b757b27cda93c405253da1}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Mirandola, R.} } @conference {Gianni20122705, title = {Model-based interface specification for systems integration in systems of systems engineering}, booktitle = {22nd Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2012 and the 8th Biennial European Systems Engineering Conference 2012, EuSEC 2012}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 2}, pages = {2705-2717}, abstract = {The key to enable systems integration is that systems inter-communications are accurately and unambiguously specified. In line with ongoing Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) initiatives aiming to support systems engineering activities by means of formal and graphical models, we have introduced a logical model for the definition of Interface Communication Modelling Language (ICML), to enable a model-based approach for interface specification. ICML is based on UML and can potentially be integrated with other systems models in similar forms, e.g., SySML, and with systems of systems models in UPDM or related frameworks. We have designed ICML basing on a preliminary domain analysis on radio signal specifications, with application to space systems. In the analysis, we have specifically considered simple digital and unidirectional signals, and subsequently we have included a method to use ICML for Time-Division Multiplexed signals. We also present an excerpt of the ICML metamodel and a simple example application. {\textcopyright} 2012 by Daniele Gianni et al.}, keywords = {Engineering activities, Interface specification, Model based approach, Model-based systems engineering (MBSE), Modelling language, Multiplexed signals, Specifications, Systems engineering, Systems integration, Systems of systems}, isbn = {9781622769162}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84884132292\&partnerID=40\&md5=137b25c099fd2308a19460fd8ff866b8}, author = {Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and De Simone, P. and Lisi, M. and Luglio, M.} } @conference {Gianni2012, title = {A model-based Signal-In-Space interface specification to support the design of Galileo receivers}, booktitle = {6th ESA Workshop on Satellite Navigation Technologies: Multi-GNSS Navigation Technologies Galileo{\textquoteright}s Here, NAVITEC 2012 and European Workshop on GNSS Signals and Signal Processing}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 1}, abstract = {The design and development of Galileo receivers will be a key factor to determine the market approach and penetration. The massive use of the Galileo services will be impacted, as well as the estimated economical return of the Galileo linked activities. In general, GNSS receivers use similar mathematical models for the computation of the global positioning from a standard parameter set. However, receivers design and implementation solutions are often inherently dependent on the specific parameter representations defined in the Signal-In-Space (SIS) interface specifications. In this paper, we introduce Interface Communication Modeling Language (ICML) as a model-based approach for the SIS interface specification to support the engineering of Galileo receivers. We argue that a model-based specification can potentially bring several technical benefits to the design of Galileo receivers, including support for specification communication among stakeholders, reuse and adaptation of existing GPS software and chipsets, and receiver-side multi GNSS interoperability, for example. As a result, a model-based SIS interface specification can contribute to increase the use of the Galileo services by reducing the impact of the technical factors leading to the extra costs. In the paper, we present the overall layout of the ICML language and preliminary applications. In particular, we present a simplified excerpt of a Galileo-like SIS specification and functional schema of GNSS receivers and show how the ICML-based specification can support the design of Galileo receivers. An important caveat: no endorsement is made for the use of the ICML language for the official Galileo SIS interface specification. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Communication, Computer software reusability, Design, GALILEO, Global positioning system, Information theory, Interface control documents, Interface specification, Mathematical models, Model-based systems engineering, Receivers (containers), Signal processing, Signal receivers, Specifications, SysML, Technology, UML}, isbn = {9781467320115}, doi = {10.1109/NAVITEC.2012.6423066}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874274251\&partnerID=40\&md5=c5bbcc7395ef038a87c8dcbae3e8f360}, author = {Gianni, D. and Lisi, M. and De Simone, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Luglio, M.} } @conference {Bocciarelli201249, title = {A model-driven approach to build HLA-based distributed simulations from SysML models}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2012 - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {49-60}, abstract = {The analysis and design of complex systems, which very often are composed of several sub-systems, takes advantages by the use of distributed simulation techniques. Unfortunately, the development of distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of available standards, such as HLA. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to support the automated generation of HLA-based distributed simulations starting from system descriptions specified by use of SysML (Systems Modeling Language), the UML-based general purpose modeling language for systems engineering. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The method exploits several UML models that embody the details required to support two transformations that automatically map the source SysML model into a HLA-specific model and then use the latter to generate the Java/HLA source code. To this purpose, this paper also introduces two UML profiles, used to annotate UML diagrams in order both to represent HLA-based details and to support the automated generation of the HLA-based simulation code.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, HLA, Model-driven, QVT, Simulation, Software architecture, SysML, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898565204}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84867729868\&partnerID=40\&md5=fafd37b90daa458cc5075061c63c5357}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Fabiani, G.} } @conference {Bocciarelli2012, title = {A model-driven method for building distributed simulation systems from business process models}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 6}, abstract = {The analysis of modern business processes implemented as orchestration of software services demands for new approaches that explicitly take into account the inherent complexity and distribution characteristics of such processes. In this respect, Distributed Simulation (DS) offers a viable tool to cope with such a demand, due to the aggregation, scalability, representativeness and load balancing properties that it allows to achieve. However, the use of DS is mostly limited by the specialized technical know-how and the extra-development that DS requires with respect to approaches based on conventional local simulation. This paper proposes a model-driven method that enables the DS-based analysis of business processes by introducing the automated transformation of business process models into analysis models that are specified as Extended Queueing Network (EQN) models and executed as distributed simulations. The paper also presents an example application to a business process for an e-commerce scenario. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Analysis models, Automated transformations, Business Process, Business process model, Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, Distributed simulations, Distribution characteristics, Inherent complexity, Load balancing properties, Model-driven method, New approaches, Software services, Technical know hows, Technology transfer}, isbn = {9781467347792}, issn = {08917736}, doi = {10.1109/WSC.2012.6465106}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874755866\&partnerID=40\&md5=8d358a15fcb545b3725d825b701fc795}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Pieroni, A. and Gianni, D. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Gianni2012, title = {Model-driven performance prediction of HLA-based distributed simulation systems}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Winter Simulation Conference}, year = {2012}, note = {cited By 3}, abstract = {Performance models offer a convenient tool to assess design alternatives and predict the execution time of distributed simulation (DS) systems at design time, before system implementation. Currently, performance models are to be manually developed and the related extra effort often becomes the limiting factor for their cost- and time-effective use. In this paper, we aim to reduce this extra effort with the introduction of a model-driven method for the automated building of performance models whose evaluation provides a prediction about of the execution time of a distributed simulation system. As such, the method contributes to bring software performance engineering techniques into the distributed simulation system lifecycle. In particular, we show how the SysML-based specification of the system to be simulated and the design documents of the DS system can be used to derive the topology and the parameters of a performance model specified according to the Extended Queueing Network formalism. {\textcopyright} 2012 IEEE.}, keywords = {Automated buildings, Computer simulation, Design, Design alternatives, Design documents, Design time, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, Distributed simulations, Execution time, Forecasting, Model-driven, Model-driven method, Performance Model, Performance prediction, Software performance engineerings, System implementation, Topology}, isbn = {9781467347792}, issn = {08917736}, doi = {10.1109/WSC.2012.6465255}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874698997\&partnerID=40\&md5=a02b093d52a8995b3774ab0d2df86fb2}, author = {Gianni, D. and Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2011155, title = {A model transformation approach for the development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems}, booktitle = {SIMULTECH 2011 - Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 3}, pages = {155-160}, abstract = {The development of HLA-based distributed simulation systems requires a significant expertise and a considerable effort for the inherent complexity of the HLA standard. This paper introduces an automated approach for the development of HLA-based simulation systems of higher quality at largely reduced time, effort and cost. The proposed approach is founded on the use of model transformation techniques and relies on standards introduced by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The proposed approach takes as input a UML model of the system to be simulated and yields as output both an intermediate UML model and the final code of the HLA-based distributed simulation system.}, keywords = {Computer simulation, Distributed computer systems, Distributed simulation systems, High level architecture, HLA, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation, Software architecture, Standardization, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {9789898425782}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052596859\&partnerID=40\&md5=97f5284df768d7865992d397a976c663}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Pieroni, A. and Gianni, D.} } @article {Bocciarelli2011265, title = {A model-driven method for describing and predicting the reliability of composite services}, journal = {Software and Systems Modeling}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, year = {2011}, note = {cited By 11}, pages = {265-280}, abstract = {Service-oriented computing is the prominent paradigm for viewing business processes as composed of functions provided by modular and standardized services. Web services are the building blocks for the application of service-oriented computing on the Web and provide the necessary support for the consolidation of multiple services into a single composite service corresponding to the overall process. In such a context, service providers are strategically interested in both describing the quality of service (QoS) characteristics of offered services, to better qualify their offer and gain a significant advantage in the global marketplace, and predicting the level of QoS that can be offered to service consumers when building composite web services that make use of services managed by various service providers. This paper illustrates a model-driven method to automatically describe and predict the QoS of composite web services specified by use of business process execution language (BPEL). The paper specifically addresses the reliability characteristic of the QoS. The proposed method is founded on Q-WSDL, a lightweight WSDL extension for the description of the QoS characteristics of a web service, and exploits Q-WSDL to annotate reliability data onto a BPEL-based UML model of the composite service. The UML model is then used to predict and describe the reliability of the composite web service. The proposed method is illustrated by use of an example application that deals with a composite web service for the migration of PSTN telephone numbers. {\textcopyright} 2010 Springer-Verlag.}, keywords = {BPEL, Forecasting, Information services, Model-driven prediction, QoS, Quality of service, Reliability, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Telephone systems, UML, Unified Modeling Language, Web services, WSDL}, issn = {16191366}, doi = {10.1007/s10270-010-0150-3}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79955480530\&partnerID=40\&md5=1e9d768badb65996f4a07183d92b15d5}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio20104, title = {A MDA-based approach for the development of DEVS/SOA simulations}, booktitle = {Simulation Series}, volume = {42}, number = {1 BOOK 4}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {4-11}, abstract = {The intrinsic complexity of the DEVS formalism and the manual production of DEVS-based simulations might constitute obstacles to the adoption of DEVS for both system modelers and simulation users. To overcome these obstacles, this paper introduces a model-driven approach for the development of DEVS simulations. The approach provides modelers and users with standard graphical modeling languages and with model transformation specifications for automated code production. Specifically, the approach enables the UML specification of DEVS models and automates the generation of DEVS simulations that make use of the DEVS/SOA implementation. An example application to the production of a DEVS/SOA simulation for a basic queuing system is also presented, to show the details of the proposed approach.}, keywords = {DEVS, Discrete event simulation, Mathematical models, MDA, Model driven development, Model transformation, Software architecture, Specifications, UML}, isbn = {9781617382048}, issn = {07359276}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887115977\&partnerID=40\&md5=d939ce7d1f75fadfcbdeca9335ab3f30}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Risco-Mart{\'\i}n, J.L. and Pieroni, A.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2010, title = {A MDA-based approach for the development of DEVS/SOA simulations}, booktitle = {Spring Simulation Multiconference 2010, SpringSim{\textquoteright}10}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 6}, abstract = {The intrinsic complexity of the DEVS formalism and the manual production of DEVS-based simulations might constitute obstacles to the adoption of DEVS for both system modelers and simulation users. To overcome these obstacles, this paper introduces a model-driven approach for the development of DEVS simulations. The approach provides modelers and users with standard graphical modeling languages and with model transformation specifications for automated code production. Specifically, the approach enables the UML specification of DEVS models and automates the generation of DEVS simulations that make use of the DEVS/SOA implementation. An example application to the production of a DEVS/SOA simulation for a basic queuing system is also presented, to show the details of the proposed approach. {\textcopyright} 2010 SCS.}, keywords = {DEVS, Discrete event simulation, MDA, Model transformation, Model-driven development, Software architecture, Specifications, UML}, isbn = {9781450300698}, doi = {10.1145/1878537.1878685}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650597613\&partnerID=40\&md5=d354a5334db8120b18b505cf48e0d4cd}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Gianni, D. and Risco-Mart{\'\i}n, J.L. and Pieroni, A.} } @conference {Gianni201031, title = {A methodology to predict the performance of distributed simulations}, booktitle = {Proceedings - Workshop on Principles of Advanced and Distributed Simulation, PADS}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {31-39}, abstract = {Predicting the time-performance of a Distributed Simulation (DS) system may be of interest to evaluate system alternatives during the development cycle, before the system is implemented. In this paper, we introduce a methodology to predict the execution time of a DS system during its design phase. The methodology is based on a model-building approach that, basing on the design documents of the DS system, first produces its performance model and then evaluates it. The model includes components such as middleware to use (e.g., the HLA RTI), the set of DS execution hosts and the set of host interconnection networks. The methodology is applied to determine whether or not producing the distributed simulator of a given system may be advantageous in terms of execution time with respect to a conventional local simulator. An example use of the methodology is presented and validated by a comparison of the time-prediction with the actual execution time of the implemented DS system. {\textcopyright} 2010 IEEE.}, keywords = {Building performance, Computer simulation, Design documents, Design phase, Development cycle, Distributed simulations, Execution time, Forecasting, Middleware, Model buildings, Performance Model, Simulation model}, isbn = {9781424472918}, doi = {10.1109/PADS.2010.5471669}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77954092922\&partnerID=40\&md5=2d68a6f0b45ad790df832f3da1a2ad43}, author = {Gianni, D. and Iazeolla, G. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio201081, title = {Model-driven quality engineering of service-based systems}, journal = {Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies}, volume = {2}, year = {2010}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {81-103}, abstract = {Web services are the building blocks of systems based on service-oriented architectures. A web service is a self-describing, open component that supports rapid composition of distributed applications. Web service definitions are used to describe the service capabilities in terms of the operations of the service and the input and output messages for each operation. Such definitions are expressed in XML by use of the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL). Unfortunately, a WSDL description only addresses the functional aspects of a web service without containing any useful description of non functional or quality of service (QoS) characteristics. This paper introduces a lightweight WSDL extension for the description of QoS characteristics of a web service. The extension is carried out as a metamodel transformation, according to principles and standards recommended by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The WSDL metamodel is introduced and then transformed into the Q-WSDL (QoS-enabled WSDL) metamodel. As an example application of Q-WSDL, the paper illustrates a model-driven method that exploits Q-WSDL in order to automatically predict and describe the QoS of systems based on composite web services specified by use of the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL). The paper specifically addresses the prediction of the reliability attribute of QoS and is illustrated by use of an example application to a composite web service for travel planning. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.}, keywords = {BPEL, Business process execution language for web services, Distributed applications, Forecasting, Information services, Meta-model transformations, Model driven architectures, Model-driven, Multimedia services, Quality of service, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Software architecture, Software design, UML, Web service definition languages, Web services, Websites, WSDL}, isbn = {9783642133541}, issn = {21903018}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-13355-8_6}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84879295871\&partnerID=40\&md5=6aebac9835244b3b880b8819ea5e68f2}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio}, editor = {George, Maria} } @conference {Angelaccio2009137, title = {A model-driven approach for designing adaptive WEB GIS interfaces}, booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography}, year = {2009}, note = {cited By 7}, pages = {137-148}, abstract = {Adaptive WEB GIS systems are emerging as a promising technology for managing highly dynamic situations such as in emergencies. Such situations require quick response and combination of static and dynamic data. Context information is crucial for understanding the possible roles within the rescue teams and the possibility for their collaboration. Emergency conditions require adjustments of performance and behavior according to the information and activation of the components and according to the needs of the users. In this paper, we propose a context-aware meta model for a WEB GIS interface. This model is based on the unified modeling language (UML) and the model driven architecture (MDA) paradigm. The proposed framework is described in terms of an emerging web engineering paradigm by specializing a meta model transformation that adapts WEB GIS interfaces to the context information. A study case is taken from a flood emergency scenario. A discussion of the corresponding technological framework, together with a description of a test case, is given in order to show the feasibility of the proposed concept. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.}, keywords = {Context information, Emergency conditions, Emergency scenario, Geographic information systems, Information fusion, Meta-model transformations, Model driven approach, Model driven architectures, Semantics, Software architecture, Technological framework, Unified Modeling Language, Web engineering, Websites}, isbn = {9783642003035}, issn = {18632351}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-00304-2-9}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78649514444\&partnerID=40\&md5=cf18f4e4d3529f57ceb725b865e8246c}, author = {Angelaccio, M. and Krek, A. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Bocciarelli20081, title = {A measurement framework for the parameterization of performance models of soa-based systems}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering, SE 2008}, year = {2008}, note = {cited By 1}, pages = {1-6}, abstract = {Distributed applications are rapidly converging towards the adoption of a computing paradigm based on service-oriented architectures, according to which an application can be seen as a composite web service that is built by assembling a set of existing services, executed on internetworked server hosts. In such a context, service providers are strategically interested both to describe the performance characteristics of offered services, to better qualify their offer and gain a significant advantage in the global marketplace; and to predict the level of performance that can be offered to service consumers. To this purpose, the paper introduces a framework for the management of performance parameters, defining the architecture that enables service providers to measure and make available performance information about the offered services. On the other hand the proposed approach allows the service consumers to automatically retrieve the performance data and then use such data to apply model-driven approaches for the performance analysis of composite web services.}, keywords = {Composite web services, Computing paradigms, Distributed applications, Global marketplaces, Information services, Internetworked, LQN, Model-driven approaches, Parameters, Performance, Performance analysis, Performance characteristics, Performance datum, Performance models, Performance parameters, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Service providers, Service-oriented architectures, SOA, Soa-based systems, Software engineering, Spontaneous emission, Web services}, isbn = {9780889867154}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-62849121929\&partnerID=40\&md5=86f31e7a2aba49f609769114bee66712}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {Ambrogio200820, title = {A Model-Driven approach for the performance management of grid-based applications}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering, SE 2008}, year = {2008}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {20-25}, abstract = {Grid environments and software applications based on Grid Services are currently receiving a strong consideration. In a Grid context, service providers are strategically interested to manage the level of performance that can be oered to service consumers. This paper introduces a model-driven approach for predicting, at design time, and managing, at execution time, the performance characteristics of applications based on Grid Services. The approach is based on the automatic generation and evaluation of performance models from design models of UML type. An example application is illustrated to show the eectiveness of the proposed approach.}, keywords = {Applications, Automatic generations, Design models, Design time, Execution time, Grid, Grid computing, Grid contexts, Grid environments, Grid services, Grid-based applications, LQN, Model-driven approaches, Performance analysis, Performance characteristics, Performance managements, Performance models, Service providers, Service-oriented, Software applications, Software engineering, Spontaneous emission, Systems analysis}, isbn = {9780889867154}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-62849087032\&partnerID=40\&md5=497dc66a800e3d14123b851fc9cec6d7}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Conticelli, L.} } @article {Bocciarelli2008228, title = {Model-driven performability analysis of composite web services}, journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)}, volume = {5119 LNCS}, year = {2008}, note = {cited By 14}, pages = {228-246}, abstract = {Web services are the building blocks of the emerging computing paradigm based on service-oriented architectures (SOAs). A web service is a self-describing, open component that supports rapid composition of distributed applications. In a SOA context, service providers are strategically interested both to predict and describe the QoS of the offered services. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to automatically predict and describe the QoS of composite web services specified by use of the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services. The paper is founded on a lightweight QoS-oriented extension of the WSDL and specifically addresses the QoS in terms of the performability attribute, which defines a combined measure of performance and reliability. The proposed approach is illustrated by use of an example application that shows how the performability analysis may lead to predictions that do not correspond to those obtained by approaches that only consider the performance attribute. {\textcopyright} 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.}, keywords = {Building blockes, Business process execution language for web services, Combined measure, Composite web services, Distributed applications, Emerging computing paradigm, Information services, Model driven approach, Model-driven, Model-driven development, Perform-ability, Performance, Performance attributes, Quality of service, Reliability, Service oriented architecture (SOA), Service provider, Systems analysis, Web services}, isbn = {3540698132; 9783540698135}, issn = {03029743}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-69814-2-15}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70349880842\&partnerID=40\&md5=2b62ddfcd5d7d53a52f20982c298e063}, author = {Bocciarelli, P. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2007605, title = {A method for the production of simulation models with application to web interaction paradigms}, journal = {Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory}, volume = {15}, number = {5}, year = {2007}, note = {cited By 2}, pages = {605-620}, abstract = {Modern internet and web applications rely on interactions among remote host computers connected by heterogeneous networks (different LANs, gateways, WANs, MANs, etc.). Simulation modelling such networks is of great importance to the web application designer to predict, at design time, performance metrics such as the end-to-end delay between hosts, which is dramatically increased by the various mechanisms necessary to deal with heterogeneity (protocol conversion, packet fragmentation and re-assembly, flow control, etc.). On the other hand, producing a simulation model of web interactions is a non-trivial task because of the great importance of the software aspects. It is thus necessary to provide general model production guidelines which can be then tailored and applied to specific simulation languages or packages. This paper gives such general production guidelines with an example application to the production of simulation models for web interaction paradigms of client-server and mobile agent types. An example use of the models is also introduced to predict the most convenient paradigm and the best choice of the host capacities for each given network configuration. {\textcopyright} 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Client-server, Computer simulation, Interaction paradigms, Internet, Mathematical models, Mobile agents, Network protocols, Object oriented programming, Object-oriented simulation, Servers, Simulation model production, Web applications}, issn = {1569190X}, doi = {10.1016/j.simpat.2004.06.009}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34147118556\&partnerID=40\&md5=0f9139beebc9c61d01f2520a10350922}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G. and Pasini, L.} } @conference {Angelaccio2007464, title = {A Model transformation framework to boost productivity and creativity in collaborative working environments}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Collaborative Computing: Networking, Applications and Worksharing, CollaborateCom 2007}, year = {2007}, note = {cited By 10}, pages = {464-472}, abstract = {Collaborative working environments consist of a network of spatially dispersed actors (either humans or not) that play different roles and cooperate to achieve a common goal. Notwithstanding the ever increasing potential of innovative software and network technologies, collaborative working environments still require advanced solutions to effectively managing their inherent complexity, thereby boosting productivity and creativity. Essential components of innovative service-based collaborative working environments are collaboration-aware services that embed the required point-topoint or multi-point interaction patterns to support the flexible orchestration of distributed and concurrent activities. This paper introduces an approach that attempts to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of current collaborative working environments by exploiting the precepts recently introduced by model-driven development and MDA (Model Driven Architecture). The proposed approach is guided by a model transformation framework that makes use of the set of MDA-related standards (MOF, QVT and XMI) to obtain a high degree of automation, so that interoperable model transformation services can be implemented in a timely and efficient way. At the end, the single tool usually operated by a given worker can be considered as a virtual collaborative platform for creating and automatically transforming models of different types and at various levels of abstraction.}, keywords = {Computer networks, Creativity, MDA, Model transformation, Productivity, Service-based collaborative environments}, isbn = {1424413176; 9781424413171}, doi = {10.1109/COLCOM.2007.4553876}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-51349124345\&partnerID=40\&md5=9648e3a0286863383964da311114122a}, author = {Angelaccio, M. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio200778, title = {A model-driven approach to describe and predict the performance of composite services}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on Software and Performance, WOPS{\textquoteright}07}, year = {2007}, note = {cited By 76}, pages = {78-89}, abstract = {Distributed applications are rapidly converging towards the adoption of a computing paradigm based on service-oriented architectures (SOA), according to which an application results from the composition of a set of services in execution on networked server hosts. In a SOA context, service providers are strategically interested both to describe the performance characteristics of offered services, to better qualify their offer and gain a significant advantage in the global marketplace, and to predict the level of performance that can be offered to service consumers when building composite web services that make use of services managed by various service providers. This paper introduces a model-driven approach for integrating performance prediction into service composition processes carried out by use of BPEL (Business Process Execution Language for Web Services). The proposed approach is founded on P-WSDL (Performance-enabled WSDL), a performance-oriented extension of WSDL, the language for describing the information about service capabilities and invocation mechanisms. P-WSDL is a lightweight WSDL extension for the description of performance characteristics of a web service. The approach is illustrated by use of an example application to a composite web service for travel planning. Copyright 2007 ACM.}, keywords = {Context sensitive grammars, Distributed computer systems, Model checking, Model transformation, Network architecture, Service providers, Service-oriented architectures (SOA), Software performance, User interfaces, Web services}, isbn = {1595932976; 9781595932976}, doi = {10.1145/1216993.1217008}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34748847460\&partnerID=40\&md5=359f771f293455994ff32902ee2772e6}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Bocciarelli, P.} } @conference {Angelaccio200695, title = {A model-driven framework for managing the QoS of collaborative P2P service-based applications}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Workshop on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises, WETICE}, year = {2006}, note = {cited By 6}, pages = {95-100}, abstract = {Distributed and collaborative applications are rapidly converging towards the adoption of a computing paradigm based on service-oriented architectures, according to which an application results from the composition of a set of services in execution on networked server hosts. In this context, a major challenge for collaborative businesses and application service providers is to provide services with high levels of QoS to geographically dislocated consumers. In order to enable better QoS, service providers may employ overlay networks to bring applications closer to their consumers, overcoming slow backbone paths, network congestions and physical latencies. This paper introduces a model-driven QoS management framework that provides both a standard (UML-based) notation to describe QoS-aware collaborative P2P service-based applications and a method for adaptive QoS management based on the automated building of performance models. {\textcopyright} 2006 IEEE.}, keywords = {Application service provider (ASP), Architectural design, Collaborative Applications, Collaborative businesses, Computing paradigms, Distributed computer systems, Enabling technologies, In order, Industry, Information services, International workshops, Model-driven, Network architecture, Network congestions, Overlay Networks (ON), performance modelling, QOS management, Service oriented architectures (SOAs), Service provider (SP), Service-based, Standards, Systems analysis, Telecommunication networks, Unified Modeling Language}, isbn = {0769526233; 9780769526232}, issn = {15244547}, doi = {10.1109/WETICE.2006.9}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-46449083466\&partnerID=40\&md5=9f8545baa48661a0597b49ba825a295a}, author = {Angelaccio, M. and Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2006789, title = {A model-driven WSDL extension for describing the QoS of web services}, booktitle = {Proceedings - ICWS 2006: 2006 IEEE International Conference on Web Services}, year = {2006}, note = {cited By 69}, pages = {789-796}, abstract = {Web services are the building blocks of the emerging computing paradigm based on service-oriented architectures. A web service is a self-describing, open component that supports rapid composition of distributed applications. Web service definitions are used to describe the service capabilities in terms of the operations of the service and the input and output messages for each operation. Such definitions are expressed in XML by use of the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL). Unfortunately, a WSDL description only addresses the functional aspects of a web service without containing any useful description of non-functional or quality of service (QoS) characteristics. This paper introduces a lightweight WSDL extension for the description of QoS characteristics of a web service. The extension is carried out as a metamodel transformation, according to principles and standards recommended by the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). The WSDL metamodel is introduced and then transformed into the Q-WSDL (QoS-enabled WSDL) metamodel. The proposed Q-WSDL extension can effectively be used to specify QoS requirements, to establish service level agreements (SLA), to add QoS-oriented characteristics when querying registries of web services and to support the automated mapping from WSDL documents to Q-WSDL ones and from UML models to Q-WSDL web services. {\textcopyright} 2006 IEEE.}, keywords = {Automated mappings, Computing paradigm, Data structures, Distributed computer systems, Metadata, Quality of service, Service-oriented architectures, Unified Modeling Language, Web Service Definition Language (WSDL), Web services, XML}, isbn = {0769526691; 9780769526690}, doi = {10.1109/ICWS.2006.10}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38949121932\&partnerID=40\&md5=a1ab2cc907fb8abdedb50d97ab6a9776}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2005127, title = {Metadata-driven design of integrated environments for software performance validation}, journal = {Journal of Systems and Software}, volume = {76}, number = {2}, year = {2005}, note = {cited By 5}, pages = {127-146}, abstract = {Lifecycle validation of the performance of software products (i.e., the prediction of the product ability to satisfy the user performance requirements) encompasses the production of performance models from CASE documents. The model production activity is a critical, time-consuming and error-prone activity so that lifecycle validation is still not widely accepted and applied. The reason is twofold: the lack of methods for the automatic derivation of software performance models from CASE documents and the lack of environments that implement and integrate such methods. A number of methods for the automatic derivation of software performance models from CASE documents has been already proposed in literature, without however solving the automation problem. This paper instead faces up to such problem, by introducing an integrated and standards-based environment for the automatic derivation and evaluation of queueing-based performance models. The environment is based on the use of standards for metadata exchange (MOF, XMI), to ease the integration of the most common UML-based CASE tools, thus enabling software designers to smoothly introduce performance validation activities into their best development practices. {\textcopyright} 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, keywords = {Codes (standards), Computer aided software engineering, Computer simulation, Lifecycle validation, Metadata, Metamodeling, Performance, Quality control, Software environments, Software performance, XML}, issn = {01641212}, doi = {10.1016/j.jss.2004.04.014}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-11144271040\&partnerID=40\&md5=36f844fc57fc3cf9ba5a51344b5472d2}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and Iazeolla, G.} } @conference {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio200575, title = {A model transformation framework for the automated building of performance models from UML models}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifth International Workshop on Software and Performance, WOSP{\textquoteright}05}, year = {2005}, note = {cited By 48}, pages = {75-86}, abstract = {In order to effectively validate the performance of software systems throughout their development cycle it is necessary to continuously build performance models from software models and then use the obtained models to check whether the system is being developed according to its performance requirements. The model building activity is a critical and effort-consuming activity. Several approaches have been envisaged to endow software designers with tools that automatically build ready-to-evaluate performance models from software development models. One essential requirement of such tools, often disregarded by current approaches, is a high degree of interoperability with software development tools, which has the positive effect of reducing both the level of required expertise in performance theory and the burden of learning separate tools. This paper introduces a frame-work for transforming source software models into target performance models. The transformation requires a clear understanding of the abstract syntax and semantics of both the source and target models, which is obtained by use of metamodeling techniques for defining the abstract syntax of models, the interrelationships between model elements and the model transformation rules. In the paper case, the framework is applied to the transformation of source models of UML type into target models of LQN (layered queueing network) type. The proposed approach is founded on the precepts recently introduced by model-driven development (MDA) and makes use of the set of related standards (MOF, QVT, XMI). This allows to obtain a high degree of automation, so that interoperable model transformation tools can be implemented in a timely and efficient way, leading to improvements in terms of software designers{\textquoteright} productivity and system quality. Copyright 2005 ACM.}, keywords = {Automated model building, Computer programming languages, Computer simulation, Computer software, Interoperability, Layered queueing network (LQN), Mathematical models, Mathematical transformations, Performance models, Queueing networks, Semantics, Software engineering, Software models, Software performance}, isbn = {1595930876; 9781595930873}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33748990901\&partnerID=40\&md5=3d70f2f5116fbd9bc73c5adb8790835c}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio} } @article {D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio2004584, title = {Model-driven maintenance of QoS characteristics in heterogeneous networks}, journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)}, volume = {3280}, year = {2004}, note = {cited By 0}, pages = {584-593}, publisher = {Springer Verlag}, abstract = {System QoS maintenance is the activity intended to maintain the system QoS at acceptable levels. The activity consists of continuously measuring the system QoS characteristics and adjusting the system parameters that affect them. This paper introduces a model-driven approach to the maintenance of QoS characteristics in heterogeneous networks that support geographically distributed processing services. The model is used as an on-line tool that enables network managers to rapidly adjust the network parameters to maintain the network QoS characteristics at required levels. The on-line use of the model requires short model evaluation times, which are obtained by use of a multi-level hierarchical hybrid technique. The application to the maintenance of timerelated and capacity-related network QoS characteristics is illustrated. {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag 2004.}, keywords = {Distributed processing, Heterogeneous networks, Hybrid techniques, Maintenance, Model driven approach, Model evaluation, Model-driven, Network managers, Network parameters, On-line tools}, issn = {03029743}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35048850389\&partnerID=40\&md5=21de7002295472f48770051c819654c3}, author = {Andrea D{\textquoteright}Ambrogio and De Person{\'e}, V.N. and Iazeolla, G.} }