From Common Strategies and Approaches to Virtual Integration

Abstract

This paper deals with the integration process in multidisciplinary technical systems projects. The paper reviews the objectives of the integration process, planning and managing principles, as well as the pitfalls and difficulties associated with this process. Various integration approaches are described and analyzed. A method for comparing integration approaches in systems projects is suggested. The paper then introduces the Model‐Based methods for virtual integration and examines how initial steps in that direction impact the conventional integration practices.

Integration principles for complex systems

“…Both Pimmler and Simon suggests a point diminishing return during the refinement of a complex system, 6,16,20,26,24 implying an optimization point in the granularity of the system hierarchic architecture; however, no formulaic or algorithmic approach for achieving this optimization is provided. Beyond that optimal point, the burden associated with intermediate subassemblies such as hierarchic verification events outweigh the benefit; hence, establishing the optimal hierarchic architecture of a modular system involves balancing fine grain and coarse grain granularities 27,28 . To evaluate this balance, a measure which characterizes the trade‐off is needed.…”

“…Viewed from the system integration perspective rather than the modularity perspective, this method can be adapted for refinement of the system into subassemblies by identifying the components that interact most strongly with each other 31,32 . As more insight into the accrual of complexity is gained in the subsequent principles, it will be observed that the system can sampled and viewed in different granularities, from the courser grains at the top of the assembly to the finer grains at the bottom 27 . Accordingly, a system architecture may be analyzed in a manner to control the complexity by manipulating granularity.…”