Application Of Model-Based Systems Engineering Research Articles

Systems Architecture Meta‐Model for the MagicGrid Framework

AbstractAlthough Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) might be understood and applied across diverse communities and industries differently, its fundamental principles and practices described in INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, are common. It is known that successful application of MBSE is impossible without a tool, language, and method as well as harmony among these three. The de‐facto standard modeling language for MBSE is Systems Modeling Language (SysML). However, SysML is only a language, and it is not aligned with terminology systems engineers use daily in their work. This paper studies SysML as the standard language to model systems, and MagicGrid as the framework to bridge the gap between Systems Engineering (SE) terminology described in the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook and SysML specification. It proposes a new systems engineering meta‐model to describe a common SE terminology and bind it to the SysML concepts.

Linking Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) for Early Design of Helicopter Primary Parameters

The design of a helicopter involves multiple disciplines and a large number of technical parameters with conflicting objectives, leading to the challenges of multidisciplinary coupling in design and optimization. In the context of the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in complex product design, how to bridge the gap between MBSE and Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) to accelerate the early design process of helicopters remains an urgent problem to be addressed. The paper proposed an optimization framework that links MBSE and MDAO models for the design optimization problem of helicopters. On the MBSE side, the design optimization problem of helicopters was defined through the descriptive SysML model. On the MDAO side, the specific domain analysis model and optimization analysis workflow were established. The integration of design data was achieved through stereotype plugins and design components, bridging the gap between MBSE and MDAO, and providing accurate engineering data for system design verification. The paper provided an optimization case of a helicopter, with the optimal mission performance of the helicopter as the objective function. Through MDAO analysis, the design optimization of fuel consumption, take-off weight, and rotor dynamics parameters was completed, achieving an integrated process of system design and optimization.

Model-based Systems Engineering for Sustainable Factory Design

In the fiercely competitive landscape of modern manufacturing, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are navigating an intricate web of challenges and opportunities. This environment demands constant adaptation and innovation to remain relevant and profitable while upholding sustainable practices. Nowadays, Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) capabilities have evolved to a state where collaboration, handling complexity, and integrating sustainability into design processes are streamlined. By leveraging digital models to holistically represent and analyze complex systems, MBSE empowers designers to systematically incorporate sustainability issues and make informed decisions. This research elucidates the application of MBSE in fulfilling stakeholders' needs, tracing integrated functional requirements, and finding solution alternatives for accelerating the movement toward sustainable factories. In this regard, the Cameo System Modeler is utilized for sustainable factory design decomposition. To facilitate factories' sustainability assessment, the first level of functional requirements is defined based on axiomatic design theory and sustainability metrics which are highlighted in the European Sustainability Report Standard (ESRS). To present the application of Cameo, the Austrian Post sustainability report is analyzed based on assumed sustainability targets. Results show how MBSE can help stakeholders, managers, and designers have a big picture of a sustainable factory in one place and provide a resilient decision-making environment.

Phased Demonstrations of MBSE in Small Demonstration Satellite Series: Development of System Model and Environment for Full Application of MBSE

AbstractThe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been implementing phased and progressive demonstrations of the Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) applications, using small demonstration satellite series, so called the Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite (RAISE), as a demonstration pre‐cursor. The purpose of the activity is to establish a practical methodology of the MBSE application to satellite projects, to promote its practices, and to infuse MBSE to the Japanese space community. These RAISE satellites are 100kg‐class flagships in the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program, which provides on‐orbit demonstration opportunities for new technologies and key‐components. This paper presents the phased demonstration strategy, an overall approach, and the technology development of a system model being built for the full application of MBSE to RAISE‐4. For the technology development, the paper covers framework, modeling scope, system model building, system model collaboration with analysis/simulation tool, introduction of design rationale and concerns, information sharing through OpenMBEE, for our full application of MBSE.

Application of Model-Based Systems Engineering for the Integration of Electric Engines in Electrified Aircraft

The objective of green, carbon-neutral flights is propelling the innovation of newer propulsion systems. With this increased development of an interdisciplinary form of propulsion for aircraft, the integration burdens and efforts intensify. In literature, it is estimated that it takes 10-15 years to design and develop an aircraft. The expected date of entry for any hybrid electric aircraft is 2035-2040. Any innovation and effort to cut this time by any degree should be explored and analysed. One of the techniques that have the potential to help fast-track the research and development of interdisciplinary systems is Model-based System Engineering (MBSE). Various studies have shown the benefit of employing a model-based design strategy. The focus case study relates to the integration of the electric machine and the propeller, along with related sub-systems. For Hybrid Electric Propulsion (HEP), the electric machine and propeller need to be integrated and their interaction to be analysed. MBSE is proposed as a methodology that would help streamline the process of design and integration of the two systems. This study documents the exploration of connecting MBSE with current simulation and modelling of sub-systems in order to ensure the fulfilment of stakeholder needs and full system effectiveness. This paper establishes the research problem, and the approach to be pursued, and gives notice of first developments and expected follow-up work.

The Application of Model-Based Systems Engineering to Rural Healthcare System Disaster Planning: A Scoping Review

Disasters and other emergency events have complex effects on human systems, particularly if the events are severe or prolonged. When these types of events happen in rural communities, the resources of the local public health, healthcare, and emergency response organizations can be quickly depleted or overwhelmed. Planning for emergencies can help to mitigate their impact. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods, including computer simulations, can provide insight on how best to prepare for these events and to explore the effects of varying approaches and resource utilization. To best apply these methods for improving disaster management in rural settings, a synthesis of the current body of evidence in this field is needed. The objective of this scoping review was to provide a descriptive overview of the application of computer simulation based on MBSE approaches to disaster preparedness and response for rural healthcare systems. Six studies met inclusion criteria, and varied in terms of MBSE method used, healthcare setting, and disaster type and context considered. We identified a gap in the research regarding the application of MBSE approaches to support rural healthcare disaster preparedness planning efforts. Model-based systems engineering and systems thinking, therefore, represent novel methods for developing tools and computational simulations that could assist rural communities better prepare for disasters.

Practice and Enlightenment of China's Aerospace Complex System Management in the National System

Aerospace engineering is characterized by its huge scale, technological complexity, high standards of quality and reliability, tremendous cost, and long R&D cycle. It is closely tied with national politics and defense security, and may indirectly provide socioeconomic benefits. To organize and implement a complex aerospace project, it is necessary to make innovations in technologies, schedules, qualities, and facilit ies construction management measures and establish an aerospace engineering management system adaptive to the high-complexity feature, based on the management models of the traditional aerospace system engineering. Different types of participants play different functions in project decision-making. The expert group participates in the whole process of the formulation and decision-making of the schemes, providing decision support for each system and the general department. This study describes the implications for the space domain of China’s deployment of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as power projection vehicles to advance Beijing’s national strategy. In order to provide reference for the application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) in the aerospace field, suggestions and conclusions on the development of MBSE application in China were provided.

SES-X: A MBSE Methodology Based on SES/MB and X Language

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a leading paradigm for the analyses and development of complex systems. However, the development of modeling and simulation infrastructure supporting MBSE is lacking, which limits the application of MBSE. To address this problem, this paper proposes an SES-X methodology that integrates system modeling (following SES philosophy) with system simulation (supported by X language) to support the full lifecycle of MBSE modeling, including system analysis, architecture decomposition, physical modeling, and simulation. In the process, SES-X performs two levels of model pruning for model verification and simulation efficiency. This paper also conducts a case study on a car model to illustrate the effectiveness of the SES-X methodology.

Application and development of MBSE in aerospace

MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering), as the representation of digital technology, has achieved effective management of system complexity through model-centric means, and a state of coordination and matching with modern complex engineering systems. On the basis of introducing the background of MBSE and the overview of MBSE practice in the aerospace field, two typical application cases of MBSE in the domestic and foreign were analyzed. In order to provide reference for the application of MBSE in the aerospace field, suggestions and conclusions on the development of MBSE application in China were put forward: the integration of traditional development process and MBSE method, the consistency understanding of system model, and the integration ability of system model and domain model.

Classification of Simulation Models for the Model-based Design of Plastic-Metal Hybrid Joints

Laser-based hybrid joints (LBHJ) are promising due to low processing time and costs compared to conventional joining technologies. During the design of LBHJs, considering interactions between different domains (engineering, production, controlling) is required. This yields potential for a cross-domain design and optimization. However, considering the interactions is challenging and leads to iterations and inefficiency in product development. To map the interactions and exploit the potential of LBHJs, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a promising approach. With MBSE, domain models are integrated into a central system model and the model parameters are interconnected. To support a model-based design of LBHJs in the different phases of product development, usually several models are required. Therefore, multiple models in different fidelities for the same purpose exist (e.g. finite element and analytical models for joint strength estimation). Currently, this results in complex system models that are difficult to understand, reuse, extend, and maintain. The application of MBSE for the design of LBHJ is therefore inhibited. To overcome this deficit, the integration and linkage of domain models in the system model must be formally structured. Therefore, this paper presents a SysML metamodel, which classifies the domain models, defines their standardized structure and specifies their integration and linkage within the system model. The formal structuring is based on the classification criteria purpose. For each purpose, a superordinate model is built and connected to the domain models. To avoid complex system models that are vulnerable to changes, only superordinate domain models are linked with each other. Domain models can thus be easily replaced, without affecting the consistency of the system model. The results show that system models, built with this approach, can be easily created and used for the model-based design of LBHJs. Furthermore, interactions between the domains can be handled and efficiency in product development is increased.

Role model of model-based systems engineering application

The transition to model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is essential to meet the demands of increasing system complexity, productivity, quality and shorter design cycles. Necessary perspectives, associated roles and competencies for the application of MBSE are not sufficiently defined. The paper at hand presents a role model for the practical application of MBSE based on three major steps: (1) identification, (2) categorization and (3) association of stakeholders, which implement and apply MBSE within an enterprise. The use of the role model is demonstrated and evaluated in a test case based on personas within a fictional scenario which illustrates the implementation of MBSE. The roles, which are adapted to today’s conditions, serve as a practical guide comprising all basic conditions that have to be considered when applying MBSE. Practitioners can easily tailor the illustrated results to their own use case.

A Model-Based Systems Engineering Approach to Trade Space Exploration of Implanted Wireless Biotelemetry Communication Systems

This paper summarizes the application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to the development of a system trade study and decision-making tool for implantable ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless biotelemetry communications systems. The systems modeling language (SysML) is used to develop graphical representations, called descriptive models, of the system architecture, parameters, and interdependencies along with leveraging various analytical tools to produce performance and safety assessments of various system configurations. Both descriptive and analytical models are linked together to enable system designers the ability to rapidly run a wide range of system configurations such that the results can be visualized, analyzed, and pruned to meet system safety and performance requirements. This integrated system approach is more effective than typical standalone or disparate analysis since it enables system designers the ability to consider multivariate scenarios in the system simulation as compared to only a few. The modeling framework is also consistent and easily verified and validated at the component, sub-system, and system levels. An ultra-wideband communication system with an implanted transmitter sub-system is the exemplary case considered in this paper.

The Application of MBSE to Inform Workforce Decision Making

AbstractA novel application of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to a workforce context is presented. The DoDAF 2.02 metamodel (DM2) and associated architectural views are used to communicate key workforce information and relationships. This is implemented through a model‐centric system engineering methodology that ensures a common language, traceability, rationale and data integrity. Preliminary results indicate benefits to multiple stakeholders from organisational leaders to human resource professionals. Decisions relating to workforce design, development and realignment can be based on better understanding of interdependencies and traceability to organisational objectives.

Modeling development process of skill-based system for human-like manipulation robot

The importance of system integration is widely recognized in robotics. This motivates the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches to improve the development process of robot systems. This paper models a development process to achieve given task goals using a human-like upper body robot based on MBSE approach. For this purpose, we focus on the domain knowledge of tasks and skills in robotics. Since MBSE is a general methodology, there is a lot of flexibility on the way of proceeding with the analysis and design, and how to utilize models there. Using the concept of tasks and skills is helpful for better uderstanding of the development process. Our process is based on three main concepts: (1) stakeholders of User and Developer, (2) coordination between User and Developer using skills as communication interface, (3) extension development. Making the process explicit helps many stakeholders such as robot makers, system integrators, and engineers in various application domains to join the system development. It is also effective for accumulating experiences and work products of the development. In addition, we can expect that better understanding of the engineering process results in the improvement of the process performed by automation tools and humans cooperatively.

A Model-Based Approach for Requirements Engineering for Systems of Systems

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a discipline of systems engineering in which the model forms the heart of all the systems engineering activities and is the basis of many of the project artefacts. Systems modeling is no longer viewed as simply a “good idea” but is becoming an increasingly important part of any systems engineering project. The application of MBSE is becoming well understood at the systems level; however, there is a lack of research and subsequent industrial application at the system of systems (SoS) level. This paper presents a model-based approach to requirements engineering for SoSs. The approach is derived from an MBSE approach to requirements engineering and therefore represents current best practice in SoSs in terms of established standards and research. This paper builds upon and is an evolution of the initial foundations for model-based requirements engineering for systems of systems that were published in an earlier paper.

Update on the Model Based Systems Engineering on the Europa Mission Concept Study

AbstractIn May 2012 the Europa study team delivered to NASA the final reports on three distinct concepts for exploring Europa on a limited budget. The depth and quality of these reports have been widely praised by independent reviewers as well as by our sponsor. The application of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques is credited with enabling the team to study three quite different mission concepts for the resources normally sufficient to study only one or two. The Europa MBSE infusion itself has been awarded the NASA Systems Engineering Excellence Award in 2012. The Europa team is now preparing for its Mission Concept Review and has reaffirmed and strengthened the MBSE application. Significant new capabilities have been completed, most importantly the Powered Equipment List (PEL) and the computation of scenario‐based power and energy margins. This paper provides an update on the continued successful application of MBSE in the dynamic environment of early mission formulation, the significant new results produced and several additional lessons learned in the process.

Extending SysML for Engineering Designers by Integration of the Contact & Channel – Approach (C&C2-A) for Function-Based Modeling of Technical Systems

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is advancing rapidly in the domains of software and embedded systems. In contrast, mechanical engineers still have trouble in application of MBSE. SysML has established as the leading modeling language for multidisciplinary systems, but some limitations still hinder mechanical engineers from its application. The provided behavioral and structural diagrams seem to not being sufficiently capable to represent all relevant information regarding mechanical systems. This paper presents an extending profile which aims to overcome some of those limitations. The profile is based on the Contact & Channel – Approach (C&C2-A), which is well-proven in function-based modeling of technical systems comprising function-relevant structural properties. The goals of the C&C2-A are to retain a maximal solution space, to overcome component- afflicted thinking and to provide an adequate modeling approach for mechanical relevant information. A prototypic tool implementation of the extending SysML-profile, complemented by some automatisms in form of a plugin, is evaluated at the example of a small gearbox.

11.5.1 Early Formulation Model‐Centric Engineering on NASA's Europa Mission Concept Study

AbstractBy leveraging the existing Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) infrastructure at JPL and adding a modest investment, the Europa Mission Concept Study made striking advances in mission concept capture and analysis. This effort has reaffirmed the importance of architecting and successfully harnessed the synergistic relationship of system modeling to mission architecting. It clearly demonstrated that MBSE can provide greater agility than traditional systems engineering methods. This paper will describe the successful application of MBSE in the dynamic environment of early mission formulation, the significant results produced and lessons learned in the process.