System-of-Systems Architecture Model for Complex Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engineering techniques lack the detail, discipline, and process flow required for efficient and effective development of complex system-of-systems (SoS) architectures, leading to increased costs and risks due to their complexity and size.
Innovation Solution
An architecture-centric, model-based approach that emphasizes concurrent development of system architecture and specifications, providing a seamless description from the SoS level down to hardware and software components, incorporating collaborative design, visual modeling, and evolutionary development methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional engineering techniques are used to design complex systems and systems-of-systems, then the design process is simpler to implement, but the level of detail, discipline, and architecture description is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the architecture description into multiple hierarchical levels (system-of-systems level, system level, subsystem level, component level), allowing detailed description at each level without overwhelming complexity. Each level has its own specific architecture description language and modeling techniques tailored to that granularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to architecture description by providing both initial architecture descriptions and evolved architecture descriptions. This allows the architecture to be described at different points in time, capturing evolution and changes while maintaining detailed documentation throughout the system lifecycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the size and complexity of engineering tasks increase to design more complex systems and systems-of-systems, then the systems can meet modern integration requirements, but program costs and risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary architecture description and analysis at the system-of-systems level before detailed system design. This early architectural planning identifies integration requirements, interfaces, and relationships upfront, allowing for better risk assessment and cost estimation before committing to detailed design and implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback loops where architecture descriptions at higher levels inform and constrain designs at lower levels, and vice versa. This multi-level feedback mechanism ensures that integration requirements are consistently met while allowing detailed design choices to be optimized, reducing both costs and risks through iterative refinement.
3Productivity
If a single, managed model is used for both hardware and software design, then development efficiency improves, but the complexity of managing unified architecture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal architecture description framework that can describe both hardware and software components using consistent modeling principles and notation. This unified approach allows the same architecture model to serve multiple purposes: hardware design, software design, integration planning, and testing, thereby improving development efficiency without requiring separate modeling efforts for each domain.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for developing an architecture model for a system-of-systems (SoS) that includes n system levels L1 . . . Ln, each of which includes at least one component of the SoS. For at least i>1, each system level Li includes at least one component of level Li-1. The method includes developing an architecture model for at least one level of the SoS. For at least i>1, the level Li-1 architecture model can be developed by developing a functional architecture model for level Li-1, and thereafter transforming the level Li-1 functional architecture model into a physical architecture model for level Li-1. The functional architecture model includes a functional and a logical structure for level Li-1. And as such, the functional architecture model is developed based upon a concurrent functional and logical decomposition of a functional architecture model developed for level Li.