Comprehensive design of cyber physical systems

Abstract

In recent years there has been a confluence between different fields addressing the broad field of embedded computer systems (cyber-physical systems). Traditional microcontroller-based systems have become more capable and now frequently feature 32-bit processors with networking capabilities. Single-board computers have shrunk to credit-card size and low-cost systems are available-significantly overlapping the application domain of microcontroller systems and, thirdly, mobile platforms (smartphones, tablets, e-readers etc.) also share many characteristics of these systems and overlap their design and application domains. These systems each have their own design communities, tools and standard approaches. However their commonality and overlapping application domains indicate that they share common design problems. The evolution into newer application areas also brings new problems. The situation becomes more complex when these systems are integrated into larger diverse systems.Design approaches and design problems for these different types of embedded system are reviewed. Overlapping and nonoverlapping characteristics and design issues are analyzed. A comprehensive design approach tailored to these cyber-physical systems is proposed. The comprehensive approach addresses design issues not only for all three of the overlapping fields but also systems that incorporate aspects from multiple fields. It also includes factors sometimes neglected when systems are developed within their own narrower design domains.One of the findings of this investigation is that design in this domain requires a diverse set of skills, usually only found in multi-disciplinary teams. One discipline that is needed but has not traditionally contributed much in this domain is Information Technology. Another finding is that designers trained in the IT discipline with a systems-oriented approach have specific design skills that are necessary for successful design of these diverse systems.

Project management best practices for cyber-physical systems development

“…The studies #3, #4, #6, #7, #8 and #9 describe, in addition to project management practices, some development methodologies [36,37,38,39,40,41]. Development methodologies are practices used to plan, organize and execute the software development.…”

“…It can be seen that most studies were concerned with more than one knowledge area and some of them used more than one approach to deal with specific knowledge area. Most of the studies also described the practices used as useful for more than one knowledge area management, mainly those that described development methodologies [36,37,38,39,40]. Three studies [42,36,49] developed their own methodologies based entirely or partially on existing approaches.…”

“…Most of the studies also described the practices used as useful for more than one knowledge area management, mainly those that described development methodologies [36,37,38,39,40]. Three studies [42,36,49] developed their own methodologies based entirely or partially on existing approaches. The study #2 [42] in addition explores an approach specific for a narrow field of application: maritime vehicles.…”

“…The studies #4 [37] and #5 [43] used traditional approaches but for specific applications: cellphone processors development and spatial bus and satellites design. In total, eight studies presented new approaches, including: software tools, frameworks for project comprehension, models for requirements elicitation and formal representations for CPS management [42,36,41,46,47,51,52,44]. This leads to the belief that already used methodologies can be used or briefly adapted for new kinds of problems and challenges, but Almost all knowledge areas showed up more than once as a concern point of the studies, leaving only procurement management with only one mention.…”

“…A physical and computational approach is observed as an integration of hardware and software in many papers, reflecting the industrial changes seen nowadays, for example: creation of specialized teams [36,37,43] and architecture models for hardware representations [41,48,44]. Entirely new processes for CPS development could be observed, indicating a new mind set for project management [53,58].…”