You Can't Touch This! ‐ Logical Architectures in MBSE and the UAF

Abstract

AbstractLogical or abstract architectures are an essential concept in systems engineering. They are included in the systems engineering handbook, the OOSEM process, the SEBOK, several modeling languages, and the ISO 15288 process definition. A logical architecture is a solution‐independent model of the problem domain used to understand “what” needs to be done, while avoiding defining “how” it will be done. The logical architecture includes all the related logical elements without constraining the architecture to a particular technology or environment. It traces to the physical architecture which defines how to implement the architecture using specific technologies. Logical architectures can be defined using MBSE languages such as the systems modeling language (SysML). They are implicit in the Operational set of views in architecture frameworks such as DoDAF, MODAF, NAF and their implementation in UAF using SysML. NAF has recently changed the title of the Operational views to Logical views to further emphasize the purpose of the views. This paper will define the benefits of using a logical architecture and provide guidance on how it can be implemented.