Abstract. A coalition of enterprises wanting to collaborate, and more generally a Collaborative Network of Organizations (CNO), can conceptually be assimilated as a System of Systems (SoS) presenting a number of characteristics to respect all over its life cycle. Interoperability is one of these characteristics (both functional and non-functional), which is from our point of view, essential in order to guarantee the control of the SoS, its behavior and the fulfillment of its mission(s). Moreover, it ensures the reaction of the SoS to deal with some risky situations and with potential local or global deficits during its functioning. In this paper, we propose to determine the relation between the current level of interoperability of the SoS and its functioning whatever may be its situation. A matrix shows how this relation evolves taking into account several characteristics of the SoS, particularly its capacity to respect interoperability requirements (Compatibility, Interoperation, Autonomy and Reversibility) and the so-called analysis perspectives of the SoS: Performance, Integrity and Stability. This relation is requested in order to permit and to guide SoS behavioral simulation currently in development. Thus, a set of indicators is derived and formalized.
This article focuses on the interoperability feature seen as a specific requirement. Indeed, any complex system (e.g. a train, an organisation or an IT system) need to interact with other systems, thereby forming a heterogeneous environment. All these systems are not necessarily designed to function properly and efficiently with one another, whether from a conceptual, technical, behavioural or organizational standpoint. This paper highlights what seems to be relevant in terms of conceptual definitions and modelling framework whenever a (group) of engineer(s) intends to design what we call here a "natively interoperable system" or, at least, a system maximizing its interoperability capabilities. To proceed, as a first prerequisite, a definition of the concept of interoperability is here proposed for complex system engineering. The second prerequisite consists of establishing the needs of a design team assigned to design such "natively interoperable system". An interface pattern model with sufficient generic, formal and pragmatic qualities is then proposed and illustrated briefly.
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