A Formal Transformation Method for Automated Fault Tree Generation from a UML Activity Model
This work addresses the need for integrated fault analysis in system development processes, though it is incremental as it builds on existing formal methods and UML modeling.
The paper tackled the problem of automating fault tree generation from UML activity models by developing a formal transformation method using propositional calculus and probability theory, and demonstrated it on a Traffic Management System of Systems problem.
Fault analysis and resolution of faults should be part of any end-to-end system development process. This paper is concerned with developing a formal transformation method that maps control flows modeled in UML Activities to semantically equivalent Fault Trees. The transformation method developed features the use of propositional calculus and probability theory. Fault Propagation Chains are introduced to facilitate the transformation method. An overarching metamodel comprised of transformations between models is developed and is applied to an understood Traffic Management System of Systems problem to demonstrate the approach. In this way, the relational structure of the system behavior model is reflected in the structure of the Fault Tree. The paper concludes with a discussion of limitations of the transformation method and proposes approaches to extend it to object flows, State Machines and functional allocations.