Graphical Specification of Flight Scenarios with Aviation Scenario Defintion Language (ASDL)

Abstract

The Aviation Scenario Definition Language (ASDL) has been proposed as a domain-specific language providing a well-structured definition language to specify departure, enroute, re-route, and landing scenarios. Exploiting the capabilities of Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF), ASDL provides a holistic conceptual metamodel construct to define all entities, attributes, and relationships needed to specify a complete flight scenario. Representing scenario models graphically, increases effectiveness of communication by providing fast, easy, and accurate method of transferring information among interested parties. It is well known that graphical diagrams are more effective than text in the communication between end-users and or domain experts. As such, models are majorly delivered graphically and supported by graphical design and editing tools. In order to provide an easy-to-use drag and drop framework to construct flight scenario models, here we present a graphical modeling and editing interface to ASDL. The proposed graphical scenario specification tool is developed using EMF Forms within EMF which provides a rapid mechanism to develop tools for modelling languages. The effort presented here will provide a graphical modeling and editing tool to specify ASDL flight scenarios while automatically validating user input and providing consistency and completeness checking. Backed by model-driven approach, the graphical modeling interface will hide all the ASDL language development details, making the tool suitable for non-developers such as pilots and air traffic controllers. This paper will include details on building the graphical framework with Eclipse Modeling Framework. We provide the detailed components of the generated GUI, highlighting the tool’s capabilities and user’s interactions. As a case-study, we also provide an example flight scenario model built using the presented tool.