Model-based planning of test cases and test scenarios to support engineering of Cyber-Physical Systems

Engineering methodologies for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) call for planning simulations and physical testing in early phases of product creation. Even in Model-Based Systems Engineering, there is a lack of systematic support that results in avoidable costs and iterations in the engineering process. Planning test cases and test scenarios along the product engineering process is not sufficiently integrated in terms of support especially for verification and validation engineers. Based on a systematic literature review, concepts for model-based planning of testing are developed. Characteristics of test cases and test scenarios of CPS are systematically identified. Generic templates for the creation of test cases and scenarios are derived. Based on the templates, a System Modeling Language (SysML) profile extension is developed which enables intuitive modelling of test cases and scenarios. The SysML profile is evaluated in a sample System-of-Systems in Disaster Response. It subsumes various types of sensor systems like rescue robotics, data science algorithms and visualization technologies like Augmented Reality to support decisions in extreme weather events. The templates and SysML profile significantly add value for engineers in the early and systematic planning of verification and validation.