From System Architecting to System Design and Optimization: A Link Between MBSE and MDAO

Abstract

Optimization of system architectures can help deal with finding better system architectures in a large design space plagued by combinatorial explosion of alternatives. To enable architecture optimization, the design space should therefore be formalized into a numerical optimization problem, and it should be possible to quantitatively evaluate architecture alternatives. This paper presents a methodology for generating and modeling architecture design spaces using the Architecture Design Space Graph (ADSG), and using collaborative Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) techniques to evaluate architectures. Collaborative MDAO leverages disciplinary expertise while ensuring that analysis tools exchange data consistently and correctly using a central data schema. The problem solved in this paper is the missing link between architecture optimization and collaborative MDAO: the reflection of generated architectures in the central data schema. It is solved by the authors by mapping architecture components and Quantities of Interest (QOIs) to the central data schema using Data Schema Operations (DSOs). Such a mapping also assists the user in identifying missing or unnecessary disciplinary analysis tools. Three web-based software tools implementing the methodology are presented. Finally, the methodology and tools are demonstrated using the design of a supersonic business jet as an example.

Seamless Transitions from Logical to Physical Avionics Architecture Models for Preliminary Aircraft Systems Design

“…In (Bussemaker et al, 2022) a methodology is proposed for linking Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and collaborative Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO). This shall enable optimization as a means to handle systems with large design spaces and many multidisciplinary stakeholders.…”

“…This requires a problem break down in a formalized manner. The systems architecting phase is generally used to identify goals, specify scenarios and requirements in order to design a systems architecture (Bussemaker et al, 2022). For this, knowledge of existing system architectures and past projects is used as a starting point.…”

Defense program quality‐cost‐delay optimization: architecture framework, a bridge between program management and system engineering

“…Last, a few current works can be found that exploit OR with systems engineering, but none of them mention architecture frameworks as best suited to represent the quantities of interests and classify information. First, 27 present algorithms that define a design space graph on which architecture decisions can be made in an iterative process, based on the metrics defined for the system category. There is also the well‐documented, 28 which uses surrogates to measure the interaction of an architecting team with its emerging systems.…”

Function‐Based Architecture Optimization: An Application to Hybrid‐Electric Propulsion Systems

“…The work presented in this paper has been performed as part of the EU-funded AGILE4.0 project, wherein the German Aerospace Center (DLR) lead the development of a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) framework for complex system design (Bussemaker, Boggero & Nagel 2023;Ciampa, Rocca & Nagel 2020). The framework consists of two consecutive and connected phases, an upstream architecting phase, and a downstream product design phase .…”