Digital Engineering Platform for Space Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital engineering (DE) platforms for space systems development and acquisition lack flexibility, robustness, and agility in modeling various mission types, interface types, and requirements, and fail to integrate disparate models and perform automatic requirements traceability and verification and validation effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, robust, and agile DE platform combining MBSE and DOORS techniques, using tools like No-Magic Cameo, Excel Sheets, and IBM standard DOORS, with a connectivity matrix and behavior models to define and manage system interfaces, digitize requirements, and enable automatic updates and validations across different MBSE tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current DE platforms use specific plug-in software components for MBSE models to communicate with databases, then linkage between model artifacts and system engineering process steps is achieved, but flexibility for modeling any mission types and interface types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data exchange framework using standardized XML schemas and web services that enable any MBSE tool to communicate with the requirements database without tool-specific plugins. The framework defines common data models and interface specifications that work across different mission types and interface types, making the system universally applicable rather than tool-dependent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of XML-based data exchange standards and web service interfaces that mediate between MBSE tools and the requirements database. This intermediary framework translates tool-specific data formats into standardized representations, eliminating the need for direct plug-in integrations while maintaining flexibility for various mission and interface types.
2Reliability
If current DE platforms enforce consistency through well-defined ontologies and metadata models, then consistency within space architecture models is maintained, but robustness and agility for modeling any interface types are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic ontology generation and adaptation mechanisms that allow the system to automatically create and adjust metadata models based on the specific interface types and mission requirements. Rather than enforcing rigid pre-defined ontologies, the system dynamically generates appropriate data models and consistency rules tailored to each modeling scenario, maintaining reliability while enabling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based configuration of ontology and metadata models, where the system can adjust consistency enforcement parameters and data model structures based on the specific interface types being modeled. This allows the same framework to maintain consistency for different interface types by changing parameters rather than requiring different rigid ontology definitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current DE platforms use standard MBSE techniques and tools, then capability features for space system architecture analysis are provided, but integration of disparate DE space system models using different MBSE tools is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integration problem by separating the data exchange functionality into independent, standardized components. Each MBSE tool interacts with the framework through defined XML schemas and web service interfaces, allowing disparate models to be integrated through composition of standardized segments rather than complex point-to-point integrations between tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enforces homogeneity in data representation by requiring all MBSE tools to exchange data through standardized XML schemas and common data models. This homogeneous interface layer abstracts away tool-specific differences, allowing disparate models to be integrated seamlessly as long as they conform to the standardized data exchange format.
4Extent of automation
If current DE platforms provide manual requirements traceability and V&V processes, then requirements analysis can be performed, but automatic requirements traceability and contractors' requirements/specification V&V are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the linkage between requirements, interface specifications, and model artifacts. The framework automatically generates traceability reports and verification results by querying the database and comparing actual model implementations against stored requirements, providing real-time feedback without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service automated traceability and V&V where the system automatically performs requirements analysis, generates traceability matrices, and executes verification checks without requiring manual processes. The framework autonomously queries the database, compares data against requirements, and generates verification reports, eliminating the need for manual requirements analysis time.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital engineering (DE) platform configured to support space system development and acquisition. The DE platform includes a modular reference architecture models module configured to capture key modular system elements of interest using model-based system engineering (MBSE) and digital object oriented requirements system (DOORS) tools. The DE platform also includes a connectivity matrix module defining interface or specifications between one or more modular system elements. The DE platform is also configured to digitize the interface using a behavior model. The behavior model capturing required activity and/or sequence for a particular use case.