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What's New in EventStudio System Designer 4.0

FDL Preprocessor

FDL has been enhanced to support a powerful preprocessor that is similar to the C preprocessor.

#include "architecture.fdl"

Include an FDL file located in the current directory.

#include <theme.fdl>

Include an FDL file from the paths specified in
Tools->Options-Preprocessor tab.

#ifdef UMTS_RELEASE_7

#else

#endif

Conditional compilation is supported with the #ifdef-#else-#endif statement.

#define msg_ack(msg, a, b)  "msg" : a -> b;\
                            (* msg from a to b*);\
                            "msg ack" : b -> a;\
                            (* b acks msg *);

Macros may be defined with multiple parameters. Macros may be nested.

Summary Sequence Diagrams at Module and Processor Level

The module and processor level sequence diagrams have been enhanced to extract high level diagrams from detailed low level diagrams.

·       Inter module interaction sequence diagram is drawn at module level. The diagram completely hides the processor and object level detail.

·       Inter processor interaction sequence diagram is drawn at processor level. The diagram completely hides the object level detail.

1.       Add module and processor interaction sequence diagrams using the “Add Document” icon.

2.       Use the “Generate All” documents to generate the interactions sequence diagrams.
 

Detailed GSM call flow		A module level high level summary of the call flow on the left.

A few examples are:

CallManager invokes Call.HandleInvite(msg)
Call takes action "Verify the Invite Message"

Call invokes MessageHandler.Send(SIP_OK)
MessageHandler.Send returns (true)

Call.HandleInvite returns

Forward Goto Statement

EventStudio now supports forward goto statements to simplify definition of multiple scenarios.

case
   leg "No digits dialed":
     goto exit

   leg "All digits dialed"
endcase

case
   leg "Call routing successful":

   leg "Call routing failed":
      goto exit
endcase

label exit:
  [* call has ended. *]

if "Success"

   case
      leg "Success3":

      leg "Failure3":
      goto exit
   endcase
endif

Periodic Timer Support

EventStudio now supports periodic timers. A periodic timer keeps running even after a timeout. 

Visual Ether Protocol Analyzer Support

VisualEther Protocol Analyzer is a new product from EventHelix.com Inc. VisualEther allows you to generate Sequence diagrams and collaboration diagrams from Ethereal PDML files. EventStudio has been enhanced to support larger size sequence diagrams with a larger number of entries.

Style Support for Messages

EventStudio supports style specification for message statements.

The style is specified as:

module: m
processor : p in m
eternal : e in p, f in p

style sip: color="1.0,0.0,0.0",
   font="Times New Roman-Bold",
   fontsize="15", linewidth="4",
   linepattern="- -",
   paramfont="Courier New",  
   paramfontsize="4" 

feature "Testing"
    [sip] invite(caller, called): e -> f
    [sip] two_way_path : e <-> f
endfeature 

Section Heading Support

A large sequence diagram may be subdivided into sections using the heading statement.

·         The headings are displayed as a block remark.

·         A bookmark to the headings is added in the left pane of a PDF sequence diagram file.

·         Message numbering is reset when headings are encountered.

The syntax for headings is shown in the following example:

heading "Conversation Mode"

Support for Wide Range of Font Sizes

Any font size between 1 and 35 may be specified in the Tools->Options->Font Selection tab. The font size range has been expanded for:

• Sequence diagram message name font.

• Collaboration diagram message name font.

• Message parameter font

• Action box font

• Block remark font

Reverse Arrow Support in Message Statement

Reverse arrows may be used in the message statements. This is convenient when dealing with acknowledgements and responses.

For example:

"SIP INVITE" : Terminal -> SCSF

"SIP OK" : Terminal <- SCSF

Hyperlink Support in "take action", "takes action" and message statements (unidirectional and bidirectional messages)

Hyperlinks can be specified in single action and joint action statements. The hyperlinks may refer to files on the internet or a local path. Clicking on the link in the PDF sequence diagram opens the linked document in another window.

Note: Hyperlinks are not supported in Microsoft Word Picture (EMF) documents.

The syntax is:

obj takes action "Handover" <file://c:\Doc\handover.pdf>

a, b take action "SIP Call" <http://rfc.net/rfc3261.html>

Invite : src -> dst <file://c:\Doc\intf.htm#Msg>

Strings May be Used in Module, Processor or Object Names

Strings may be used to denote module, processor or object names. This allows the developers to use terms like "I-SCSF", "192.168.10.20".

The syntax is:

module: Customer, "IP Multimedia System"

processor: "User Terminal" in Customer

processor: "I-SCSF" in "IP Multimedia System"

eternal : "192.168.20.45" in "User Terminal"

Message Parameter May be Spread Over Multiple Lines

The message parameters may be spread over multiple lines. This helps in documenting long parameter lists.

The syntax is:

"My Message" (name="XYZ",
              DOB="1/1/2006",
              Address) : Dst <- Src

Light Weight Header

A light weight header that lists the axis only for the lowest level entities. The light weight header does not include the page number and title. This makes the diagrams suitable for inclusion in other documents. 

Style Support for Instance Axis

Style specifications can now be added to the module, processor and object declarations. The styles allow you to define a color, line style and a font size for the instance axis.

• Object style specifications are used in regular sequence diagrams. When a light weight header is selected, the instance title, box and the axis are rendered using the style specifications.
• Processor style specifications are used when a processor containing no objects is used. The processor style is also used when processor interaction sequence diagram is generated.
• Module styles are used in module interaction diagrams.

The style specification example is shown here:

style pstyle: color="1.0,0.0,0.0"

style cstyle: color="0.0,1.0,0.0"

style rstyle: color="0.0,0.0,1.0"

module : [pstyle] phone, bts, bsc

processor: [cstyle] cpu in phone

eternal: [rstyle] rlc_mac in cpu

Image Specification in Instance Style

An image may be specified in the instance styles. JPEG images are supported. The image in a style is used if "Light weight header with image" is selected from the "Tools->Options->Customize tab".

The style specification with image is shown here:

style pstyle: image="c:\phone.jpg"

style cstyle: image="c:\xscale.jpg"

style rstyle: image="c:\sphere.jpg"

module : [pstyle] phone

processor: [cstyle] cpu in phone

eternal: [rstyle] rlc_mac in cpu

Optional Right Side Remarks

The remarks displayed on the right side may be disabled from the "Tools->Options->Customize tab".

Message Chain Statement

Define a message chain to model a chain of messages that are triggered in a sequence. EventStudio attempts to draw all messages in a message in a single line.

The syntax is:

chain
    [rstyle] msg : a -> b
    msg2(par1="one", par2): b -> c
    [talk] conversation: c <-> d 
endchain

Style Support in "take action", "takes action", "begin action", "end action", "allocates", "frees" and "state" statements

The style statement gives you full control over the color, font and line style in the action, resource management and state related statements.

The syntax is:

[my_style] obj1, obj2 take action "Joint action"

[my_style] object1 takes action "Single action"

[my_style] object1 begins action "Feed Dialtone"

[my_style] object1 ends action "Feed Dialtone"

[my_style] object1 allocates "Channel"

[my_style] object1 frees "Channel"

[my_style] object1 state = "Awaiting Digits"

Theme Support

Themes provide an overall control over the document layout. Most Tools->Options commands can be overridden using themes.

A theme statement based on the current settings can be automatically copied to the clipboard using the Tools->Copy Options as Theme command.

A theme declaration consists of a theme name followed by a sequence of attribute-value pairs. The syntax is:

theme MyTheme: blockRemarkFormatting="right-align",
               paperSize="letter"

theme LeftAlign: blockRemarkFormatting="left-align"

Initial theme for a statement is specified as a modifier to the feature statement. The syntax is:

{MyTheme} feature "a feature"
endfeature

Theme may be modified within the feature-endfeature block by placing the theme modifier on a line. For example:

{MyTheme} feature "a feature"
       [* Right aligned block remark *]
      {LeftAlign}
      [* Left aligned block remark *]
endfeature

Scenario Project Templates

Scenario Project can now be defined from a predefined list of templates. You may also define your own templates.

Joint State Transition, Action Begin/End, Allocate/Free Support

The following joint statements are now supported:

• begin and end action
• allocate and free
• state

All joint action statements support style specification.

[mystyle] A, B, C begin action "feed dial tone"

A, B allocate "time slot"

A, B free "time slot"

[mystyle] A,B,C end action "feed dial tone"

[mystyle] A,B,C state = "Conversation"

Auto Synchronize FDL files and PDF Documents

EventStudio automatically synchronizes FDL files and open PDF document. If a PDF document is already open, a new version of the document will is reopened after the document generation has been completed.

• EventStudio also opens a PDF sequence diagram when a "Generate All" command is issued and no documents were open at that time.
• Command to generate a single document also opens the document automatically.

Single Click Document Save, Generate and Display

EventStudio greatly simplifies the process of editing FDL by providing instant feedback on the final sequence diagram. 

A single click or command saves all changes, generates the document and displays the output. The command works even when the document was already open.

Use any of the following to save, generate and display:

• Control-Q
• Click on the "Quick Save and Display" icon in the toolbar.
• Invoke the File->"Quick Save and Display" menu item.

Hierarchically Assign Images to Modules, Processors and Objects

EventStudio image header assignment algorithm has been enhanced as detailed in the diagram below:

Specify Custom Paper Sizes in EMF and PDF Documents

Uses can now select custom paper sizes. The custom paper size may be selected from:

• Tools->Options dialog box
• paperSize attribute in the theme (e.g. paperSize="5.5 inch 6.5 inch" or paperSize="60 mm 70 mm").
• Paper length may range from 4 to 22 inches.
• Paper width may range from 4 to 17 inches.

Other Enhancements

·         EMF file naming has been enhanced to include scenario names.

• Download EventStudio 4.0
• Getting Started with EventStudio 4.0
• FDL: Sequence Diagram Modeling Language