Model-Based Systems Engineering Methods Research Articles

A Rapid Review of How Model‐based Systems Engineering is Used in Healthcare Systems

AbstractThis study presents the results from rapid review of how model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) is utilized in healthcare systems (HSs). We conduct a review of the last twelve years and find that MBSE adoption in HSs is accelerating, with use of various MBSE languages and tools, as well as their integration with other simulation and modeling techniques. We find that similar to engineered systems, the most common MBSE language is systems modeling language (SysML), followed by unified modeling language (UML) and others. Additionally, we observe that MBSE methods are frequently used in conjunction with other analytical techniques, such as simulation and co‐simulations, to analyze and enhance various HS operations, or to assist with making tradeoffs between HS attributes such as quality and cost. Moreover, we provide a non‐exhaustive classification of current research based on two dimensions: healthcare applications and MBSE use cases. Notably, MBSE is being implemented generally with patient‐centric objectives in various HS domains, including IoT‐enabled smart healthcare, clinical medicine, medical device development, healthcare process enhancement, and healthcare facilities management. While the primary MBSE use case involves modeling different aspects of healthcare operations, there is a significant number of studies that pursue requirements engineering, systems analysis, integration, verification and validation, as well as risk analysis and management. Furthermore, we identify two promising research gaps. First, there is a need for the integration of MBSE with state‐of‐the‐art data‐driven analytical methodologies such as hybrid simulation and artificial intelligence techniques. Second, HSs could greatly benefit from representing the cognitive functions and processes of human decision‐makers in the loop, such as healthcare providers (e.g., doctors and nurses), who are instrumental in sustaining the HS performance and functionality. We contend that MBSE and other SE methods and techniques could improve HSs design, operations, and management; while fostering resilience and long‐term sustainability.

Extending SysML Model Federation to Support Systems of Systems Multilevel Security Development

AbstractPractitioners of modern systems engineering within the defense industry and intelligence community often find themselves being pulled in diametrically opposed directions. On the one hand, systems engineering is quickly evolving into a digital practice, strategically connecting heterogeneous sets of models to form digital threads and digital twins capable of providing insights more valuable than the sum of their parts. On the other hand, the inherent nature of working within the national security space necessitates information be held a multiple levels of classification, safeguarded from release, and compartmentalized. This paper focuses on Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) development to introduce methods and tools to aid in overcoming these challenges. The work presented here builds on previously published works in SysML Model Federation for Systems of Systems (SoS) Architecting, the experience of applying this methodology on real world programs. Furthermore, it leverages freely available MBSE tools, processes, and methods in the construction of System Architecture Models (SAMs). This paper culminates in a call to action for additional published research and development to address residual challenges and gaps with respect to executing MBSE for Multilevel Security (MLS) development.

MBSE for Real World Teams

AbstractWith the release of the OMG Systems Modeling Language (SysML) (Object Management Group, 2007) there was a surge of enthusiasm for model‐based systems engineering (MBSE). Expectations were high. Cumbersome, fragmented documents would be completely replaced by coherent, fully integrated models. The models would serve as the “Single Version of the Truth” (later transitioning to models being part of the “Authoratative Source of Truth”).While progress has been made, this utopian vision has largely failed to materialize. Certainly tool and language limitations have been a factor. However, the bigger factor in many communities has been human factors challenges. In our enthusiasm to propagate the MBSE vision, we forgot to perform the most basic systems engineering task: stakeholder analysis. This paper will introduce some of the basic human factors issues that were overlooked. The paper will then discuss three concrete cases in which a community was struggling with the abstract, radical change approach and how the teams involved have modified this approach and tooling to make it more practical and successful for those communities. Finally, the paper will conclude with some recommendations to consider when undertaking the introduction of MBSE methods in a new community.

Seamless Function-Oriented Mechanical System Architectures and Models

One major challenge of today’s product development is to master the constantly increasing product complexity driven by the interactions between different disciplines, like mechanical, electrical and software engineering. An approach to master this complexity is function-oriented model-based systems engineering (MBSE). In order to guide the developer through the process of transferring requirements into a final product design, MBSE methods are essential. However, especially in mechanics, function-oriented product development is challenging, as functionality is largely determined by the physical effects that occur in the contacts of physical components. Currently, function-oriented MBSE methods enable either the modeling of contacts or of structures as part of physical components. To create seamless function-oriented mechanical system architectures, a holistic method for modeling contacts, structures and their dependencies is needed. Therefore, this paper presents an extension of the motego method to model structures, by which the seamless parametric modeling of function-oriented mechanical system architectures from requirements to the physical product is enabled.

Model-based systems engineering methods and tools for safety-aware development

Summary: The aim of this article is to propose a method for model-based systems engineering (MBSE) that supports a model-based safety assurance (MBSA) by developing architecture specifications of complex systems taking into account the property of their safety. Also, the authors give a review of the normative and methodical background of MBSA on an example of the automotive safety. The main standards used to control the safety lifecycle of automotive systems are listed.

An integrated Design Methodology for Swarm Robotics using Model-Based Systems Engineering and Robot Operating System

In swarm robotics, robots solve problems using collective behaviors similar to those observed in natural systems, such as birds, bees or fish. They determine their collective behavior through several simple interactions. However, the behavior of swarms emerging from local interactions remains difficult to predict. When trying to design swarm robotic systems for real applications, researchers are confronted with a wide range of software and hardware challenges in the different phases of the design process; problems related to the modeling of swarm systems, related to simulation, related to implementation on software and even on real systems, etc. Despite the increasing popularity of swarm robotics, designing effective and scalable swarm systems remains a challenging task due to the complex interactions between the individual robots and the environment. Therefore, there is a need for a systematic and comprehensive methodology that can guide designers in developing swarm robotics systems that are efficient, reliable, and adaptable to different scenarios. Our main contribution is to propose a new integrated methodology for the development of swarm robot systems. This methodology is based on modeling with Model-Based Systems Engineering method (MBSE) to specify the requirements and the collective behaviors of the swarms, then on the verification of the developed models and finally on the validation of the swarm system by physical prototyping with real robots. Our contribution also focuses on the development of a new SysML profile using the Domain Specific Language (DSL) that we call SwarmML to customize the functional and structural modeling of a swarm system (properties and attributes of the swarm). Two case studies are applied to validate our methodology; a case study of an aggregation of a swarm of robots and a case study of a collaborative simultaneous localization and mapping application (C-SLAM) performed by a swarm of Turtlebots. The novelty of this proposed methodology is the combination of SysML and Robot Operating System (ROS) to address the management of traceability between the different levels of swarm system design, in order to achieve functional, physical and software integration.

ASPICE compliance development of Cyber‐Physical Systems by using Model‐Based Systems Engineering

AbstractCurrent automotive Industry is facing numerous challenges. Business model is transitioning from ownership to shared mobility. Mobility of the future is becoming smarter, safer, more secured and connected. Distributed interconnected automotive systems will deliver added‐value mobility services. In the meantime, industrial standards require description of systems engineering practices as well as the practices justification. Automotive SPICE (ASPICE), a standard of software development best practices for automotive industry, for example, was one of the first to support the development of system and software now include hardware and cybersecurity. Traditional systems engineering development approaches are not any more appropriate. The current automotive system complexity requires new approaches like Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), using modeling and simulation. To address compliance to industry standards, traditional quality approaches consisting of or defining a quality system with a set of processes (e.g. Requirement elicitation process, documentation process…) are no more sufficient. Addressing these challenges require a digital transformation with two pillars. The first pillar is an MBSE methodology such as Cyber MagicGrid (Dassault Systèmes MBSE method) to define a set of best practices to develop a system. The second pillar is a quality management system that relies on the MBSE methodology rather than on a set of enterprise processes to address compliance with standards. Benefits of this approach is in acceleration of the digital enterprise transformation which is achieved by capitalizing the know‐how and considering the industry standards constraints.

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.

Modeling language for the function-oriented development of mechatronic systems with motego

As mechatronic products gain in popularity, methods for mastering the complexity of these systems in development become increasingly relevant, such as model-based systems engineering (MBSE). Main pillars of MBSE are method, language and tool. A method specifies procedures in product development. The application of the method is supported by a language and tool as the language specifies a system of symbols with which development artifacts can be represented in a software environment (i.e. tool). Currently, various MBSE methods exist, such as motego. Motego specifies a framework for the function-oriented seamless development of mechatronic systems from requirements to the physical realization down to mechanical and electrical contacts and the description of these via parameters and models. Central element in MBSE is the system model, which connects all relevant development artefacts. The system model is created with a language in a software environment such as Cameo Systems Modeler. In MBSE, the graphical systems modeling language SysML is widely established. The language elements in SysML are very abstract and numerous. As a result, the language is difficult to apply. However, its reasonable applicability is an essential prerequisite for the introduction of the motego methods in industrial practice. This results in the following research need: A specific modeling language for the motego method is needed that supports its reasonable application. Therefore, in this paper a modeling language is presented whose language elements are specifically adapted to the motego method. With the help of this domain specific language, the user is guided through method-compliant modeling.

Applying Model‐Based Systems Engineering Methods to a Novel Shared Systems Simulation Methodology

AbstractThe need to develop increasingly complex, integrated systems and multi‐domain systems‐of‐systems is initiating a transformation within the discipline of systems engineering. The critical trends of increasing interconnectivity, compressed development times, growing cybersecurity concerns, and a rapidly changing workforce are driving current systems engineering practices into obsolescence. Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a formalized approach to systems engineering that uses models as an integral component of a system's technical definition with the objective of enhancing communication through rigor and precision and managing system complexity. This paper discusses the application of MBSE methods to the definition of a shared systems architecture and the development of novel methodologies for extending the model‐based approach from the system definition space into the system simulation and analysis domain. Approaches for interface management of design properties between a model‐based architecture and system simulation will be reviewed, with the effectiveness of each approach discussed.

A Semantic Ontology-Based Approach to Support Model-Based Systems Engineering Design for an Aircraft Prognostic Health Management System

The Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) system of an aircraft has complex structures and diverse functions. It is highly coupled with other systems, such as the avionics system and flight management system. The Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) method is effective to support the design and verification of the aircraft PHM system. As a powerful semantic web construction method, ontology has been widely used to express design information, such as the concepts and the relationships between them. However, traditional graphical MBSE models have a natural weakness in transforming into ontology. In this paper, a semantic MBSE method is proposed to support the transform of the ontology model. Firstly, according to the design characteristics of the aircraft PHM system, a meta-model library of the aircraft PHM system is developed to support the design and evaluation. An MBSE modeling method based on requirement analysis, function analysis, logical architecture design, and physic architecture design is applied in the PHM design process. Secondly, the semantic system modeling language KARMA based on “graph, object, property, point, relationship, role, and extension” (GOPPRRE) is used to transfer the graphical MBSE model to the semantic MBSE model, which can be easily transformed to an ontology model. Finally, an ontology based on semantic modeling is developed to describe the MBSE entities and to support MBSE design. In this paper, a case study of an aircraft fuel PHM system is carried out to validate the proposed method. Based on the developed meta-model library, a complete MBSE design process for the aircraft PHM system is realized. And then an ontology model supporting PHM system design is generated from the semantic MBSE model. The MBSE ontology provides a shareable capability to help designers communicate effectively. Quantitative analysis based on ontology is also provided to verify the complexity and scale of the MBSE design process. Moreover, logical reasoning ability can also be provided to support the early requirement traceability for MBSE design. In general, the case study results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method for the aircraft PHM system design.

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.

Model based systems engineering—A text mining based structured comprehensive overview

AbstractAn observed increase in systems scale and complexity has led to a significant momentum in exploring, identifying, and adopting model based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques amongst research communities and industry practitioners. Several attempts to transform systems design and engineering practices through the use of MBSE in academia and industry has led to a considerable increase in the number of articles published containing the keyword “MBSE.” This growth serves as the motivation in this paper to explore the MBSE landscape with the help of text mining techniques to identify the most often used key terms, tools, and languages, in the context of research in MBSE and the thematic aspects defining the use of MBSE by researchers and practitioners. The objective of this paper is to provide a structured comprehensive overview of research contributions across the MBSE landscape by employing text mining techniques for: (a) identifying the concepts and methodologies inferred upon in relation to MBSE, and (b) classifying the literature published to identify commonalities across academic researchers and practitioners using MBSE tools and methods. For this purpose, the abstracts of 2380 relevant articles published in the period of the last two decades from five different databases are mined. It is found that the terms “SysML,” “Cyber Physical Systems,” and “Production” are the most used terms among researchers across the MBSE landscape with SysML being the most widely used modeling language. Further, six major thematic topics are identified that classify articles from over the last two decades with an increasing interest observed in the use of MBSE to support manufacturing and production engineering activities, especially in the cyber physical systems domain. The contributions of this paper provide a leeway on using text mining techniques to understand the research directions that are currently of interest in the field of MBSE and thereby identify potential future research directions.

DETERMINATION OF ENGINEERING DIGITALIZATION MATURITY

AbstractEngineering Digitalization enables development of new high intelligent products containing mechanical, electrical, software and communication components. As these complex products are result of multidisciplinary engineering processes, digitalization also enforces companies to raise, adapt and revise their engineering competencies and process capabilities to increase agility and maintain competitiveness. Also, the growing amount of data related to product and processes requires a well-structured management concept. In order to encounter all these changes and new requirements companies should identify their specific strengths and weaknesses and derive needs for action. This paper presents a novel maturity model for evaluation of capabilities of Engineering Digitalization in areas of processes, products, services, data, human and organization. The maturity model enables the detection of enhancement potentials and conception of individual digitalization plans for production companies. It has been composed based on a proven multidisciplinary engineering methodology along the product lifecycle process, which includes Model Based Systems Engineering Methods, and a multilevel IT architecture integration concept.

Towards a modular product architecture for electric ferries using Model-Based Systems Engineering

With the reduction of the allowed emission values, the need for fast and emission-free passenger transport is growing - even on coastal or inner city waterways. Many cities and regions are therefore striving to quickly replace their existing conventional diesel ferries with electrically powered passenger ferries. Shipbuilding, however, is characterized by individual applications and corresponding one-off productions. While the concept of modularization has proven itself in many industries to realize individual products in a short development time, such approaches are hardly found in the maritime industry. In particular, the high degree of dependency between the individual system elements of a ship represents a major challenge in the development of modular ships and ship architectures. This dependencies are further increased in the case of electrically driven high-speed ships, which in the present case are used for passenger transport in urban areas. This paper presents an approach for identifying reusable and standardized modules in shipbuilding for high-speed vessels using Model-Based Systems Engineering methods. The goal of the approach is to create a multi-domain system model that enables developers to identify use-case spanning standard modules and interfaces.

An MBSE Approach for Development of Resilient Automated Automotive Systems

Advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems must operate in complex environments and make safety-critical decisions. Resilient behavior of these systems in their targeted operation design domain is essential. In this paper, we describe developments in our Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to develop resilient safety-critical automated systems. An MBSE approach provides the ability to provide guarantees about system behavior and potentially reduces dependence on in-vehicle testing through the use of rigorous models and extensive simulation. We are applying MBSE methods to two key aspects of developing resilient systems: (1) ensuring resilient behavior through the use of Resilience Contracts for system decision making; and (2) applying simulation-based testing methods to verify the system handles all known scenarios and to validate the system against potential unknown scenarios. Resilience Contracts make use of contract-based design methods and Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDP), which allow the system to model potential uncertainty in the sensed environment and thus make more resilient decisions. The simulation-based testing methodology provides a structured approach to evaluate the operation of the target system in a wide variety of operating conditions and thus confirm that the expected resilient behavior has indeed been achieved. This paper provides details on the development of a utility function to support Resilience Contracts and outlines the specific test methods used to evaluate known and unknown operating scenarios.

Study on the feasibility of modelling notations for integrated Product-Service Systems Engineering

Developing products and services concurrently bears great potential as well as challenges. Systems Engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary approach, which aims to enable the realization of successful systems. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a SE approach focusing on the utilization of models for information exchange instead of documents. Methods and tools for MBSE are advanced and effective. Nevertheless, the field predominantly focuses on technical systems rather than on services and business models. In the context of the increasing importance of the Service Economy and rising innovative business models, an extension of the MBSE methods and tools to a service- and business model-centric view constitutes a research gap. Sufficient methods for requirements definition in PSS design have been developed. In concept design, the outline or rough concept of the product is defined. This step is currently not supported with useful methods. In order to address this research gap, the authors have proposed Integrated Product Service Architectures (IPSSAs) in previous research, which depict physical product architectures and service architectures in one integrated model. In previous studies, Systems Modelling Language (SysML) was identified as suitable modelling notations for IPSSAs, but several drawbacks of the notation were noted. Within this paper, a study is presented, which identifies suitable combinations of modelling notations and diagrams for IPSSA modelling. The combination of several diagrams from SysML, Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) and Data Flow Architecture is used on the practical example of ELSA (Engineering Living Systems of Autonomy), a service robot for guest and plant care. In order to address the lack of process-based service modelling in SysML, BPMN is added to common SysML modelling. In order address the data flow dimension, a third modelling notation, the Data Flow Architecture is proposed.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MODEL‐BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHODOLOGIES AND THEIR EFFECTIVE PRACTICE – A CASE STUDY ON NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

ABSTRACTThis article presents a case study on applying model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies under real‐life conditions. We present how engineers tailored existing MBSE methods and tools to both address the complexity factors of nuclear power plants engineering, and to contribute to the comprehensiveness of the design and safety assessment. We also provide feedback on the application of MBSE approaches and their key benefits on projects’ execution.

Integrating Environmental Impacts with SysML in MBSE Methods

The continuously growing integration of mechanics, electronics, and informatics into modern products introduces a considerable complexity into product development activities. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods are one approach to handle this complexity. Eco-design methods, which are also increasingly important due to sustainability focus of many companies, is not fully implemented or even not taken into account at all in MBSE methods. Therefore, this paper aims at integrating the environmental impacts of a mechatronic product in a MBSE method using Systems Modelling Language (SysML).

Exploring System Space with Graph Theory

AbstractAs today's Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) become more and more complex they provide both incredible opportunity and risk. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) provides organizations a timely opportunity to address the complexities of Cyber Physical Systems. MBSE tools, languages and methods are having a very positive impact but are still in a formative stage and continue to evolve. Moreover, the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) has proven to be a significant enabler to advance MBSE methods given its flexibility and expressiveness. Unfortunately the number of people who know SysML well is relatively small. To bring the full power of MBSE to the larger community, system models can be rendered in intuitive forms to support broad understanding of system models. More specifically, Graph Theory has proven to be very effective in the design, analysis, management, and integration of complex systems. Use of Graph Theory and dynamic visualization can help teams gain insights, build intuition and ultimately help speed the innovation process.