Announcement of Public Defense
November 19, 2026
11:30-1:00 PM
A META-MODEL-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR SYSTEMS MODELING LANGUAGE TOOL INTEROPERABILITY IN MODEL-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FOR SYSTEMS OF SYSTEMS
by
Kieu-Trang Vu Tran
B.S. (December 1997), University of New Orleans
M.E.S.E. (May 2020), Old Dominion University
Director: Holly A. H. Handley, PhD, PE
ABSTRACT
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) supports the development and integration of complex Systems of Systems (SoS), yet interoperability among heterogeneous SysML v1.x modeling tools remains challenging. Differences in tool-specific serialization, profiles, model organization, and diagram representation can prevent exchanged models from preserving their intended structural and behavioral meaning.
This research develops and evaluates SysMLHub, a meta-model-based interoperability framework that uses a shared, tool-agnostic canonical meta-model, modular tool-specific adapters, and explicit rule-based mappings to support semantically controlled transformation of SysML v1.x models. Using Design Science Research Methodology, the framework was demonstrated with a synthetic DroneDeliverySoS model containing Block Definition Diagram, Internal Block Diagram, Activity, and State Machine content. A complete semantic round trip was performed from Cameo Systems Modeler through SysMLHub to Papyrus-compatible UML and back through SysMLHub to a Cameo-compatible return model. A supplemental Modelio BDD path evaluated reuse of the same canonical architecture for an additional source-tool representation, providing focused evidence of adapter extensibility rather than a second full semantic round trip.
Results demonstrated substantial preservation of implemented structural and behavioral semantics, along with canonical persistence and reload integrity, while identifying partial-preservation limitations involving profile-specific semantics, direction, port conjugation, information-flow endpoints, and selected ownership and containment relationships. The study further distinguishes semantic preservation through Strict Compliance from tool-native graphical presentation through Native Compatibility. The results provide evidence that a reusable canonical semantic hub with modular adapters can support semantic model exchange across selected heterogeneous SysML environments.
Zoom Meeting Information:
https://odu.zoom.us/j/95867720951?pwd=Tdrgil5Tzbbg8fjH4J39drAAmDubNS.1&from=addon
Meeting ID: 958 6772 0951
Passcode: 220337