Semantic Anchoring with Model Transformations ⋆ Kai Chen, Janos Sztipanovits, Sherif Abdelwalhed, and Ethan Jackson Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University, P.O. Box 1829 Sta. B., Nashville, TN 37235, USA {kai.chen, janos.sztipanovits, sherif.abdelwalhed, ethan.jackson} @vanderbilt.edu Abstract. Model-Integrated Computing (MIC) is an approach to Model-Driven Architecture (MDA), which has been developed primar- ily for embedded systems. MIC places strong emphasis on the use of domain-specific modeling languages (DSML-s) and model transforma- tions. A metamodeling process facilitated by the Generic Modeling En- vironment (GME) tool suite enables the rapid and inexpensive develop- ment of DSML-s. However, the specification of semantics for DSML-s is still a hard problem. In order to simplify the DSML semantics, this pa- per discusses semantic anchoring, which is based on the transformational specification of semantics. Using a mathematical model, Abstract State Machine (ASM), as a common semantic framework, we have developed formal operational semantics for a set of basic models of computations, called semantic units. Semantic anchoring of DSML-s means the specifi- cation of model transformations between DSML-s (or aspects of complex DSML-s) and selected semantic units. The paper describes the semantic anchoring process using the meta-programmable MIC tool suite. 1 Introduction The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) advocates a model-based approach for software development. Model-Integrated Computing (MIC) [27,24] is a domain- specific approach to MDA, which has been developed primarily for embedded systems. The MIC approach eases the complicated task of embedded system design by equipping developers with domain-specific modeling languages [25] tailored to the particular constraints and assumptions of their various applica- tion domains. A well-made DSML captures the concepts, relationships, integrity constraints, and semantics of the application domain and allows users to program imperatively and declaratively through model construction. While a metamodeling process enables the rapid and inexpensive develop- ment of DSML syntax, the semantics specification for DSML-s remains a chal- lenge problem. Transformational specification of semantics [9], gives us a chance ⋆ This research was supported by the NSF Grant CCR-0225610 “Foundations of Hybrid and Embedded Software System”. A. Hartman and D. Kreische (Eds.): ECMDA-FA 2005, LNCS 3748, pp. 115–129, 2005. c  Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005