Formalized Transfer of Functional Architectures from Model-Based Systems Engineering to Generative Engineering

IEEE International Symposium on Systems Engineering, pp. 1–8

Abstract

The definition of the functional architecture has a considerable influence on the subsequent solution of a system. A comprehensive exploration of alternative solutions to be compared and chosen can therefore only be realised by considering various possible functional architectures. Alternative functional architectures can be explored using combinatorial methods such as generative engineering. Previous work shows the proof of concept of exploring alternative system architectures with Generative Engineering. However, the models are defined in MBSE and must be transferred to Generative Engineering for exploration. This is done manually due to the lack of a systematic method of transformation between the two methods. The resulting effort for the developer is error-prone, already high for small functional architectures and becomes unacceptable for large-scale systems. The aim of this work was therefore to develop a formalized method for transferring functional architectures from MBSE to GE to utilise the extensive possibilities offered by automated exploration of alternative architectures. The formalization of transferring an architecture from MBSE to GE, is described in this work and enables the consideration of various functional architectures in the development of systems.

Authors 4

1. Bastian Menninger Aachen Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

2. Gregor Höpfner Aachen Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

3. Joerg Berroth Aachen Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany

4. Georg Jacobs Aachen Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University,Aachen,Germany