MBSE with the ARCADIA Method and the Capella Tool
Much more than just yet another modelling tool, Capella [1] is a model based engineering solution that has been successfully deployed in a wide variety of industrial contexts. Based on a graphical modelling workbench, it provides systems, software and hardware architects with rich methodological guidance relying on ARCADIA, a comprehensive model based engineering method. The ARCADIA/Capella DSML is inspired by UML/SysML and NAF standards, and shares many concepts with these languages. It is the result of an iterative definition process driven by systems and software architects working in a broad spectrum of business domains (transportation, avionics, space, radar, etc. It enforces an approach structured on successive engineering phases which establishes clear separation between needs (operational need analysis and system need analysis) and solutions (logical and physical architectures) in accordance with the IEEE 1220 standard. In this paper, we will explain why a lot of industrial companies, such as Airbus, Airbus DS and Areva, are currently interested in using Capella and running modeling pilot projects with it.