Systems of systems: From mission definition to architecture description

Abstract

Systems of Systems (SoS) encompass a group of distributed and independent systems. This class of systems requires recurrent adaptation at runtime owing to the uncertainty and variability of the runtime environment. Thus, during their execution, SoS can deviate from the initial specification, which is often a consequence of successive evolutions. This problem occurs mainly due to (a) weak communication between the SoS analysis stage and architecture stage and (b) the lack of links between the operational planning in the SoS analysis stage and systems that must be involved in the SoS architecture stage. This paper proposes a model‐based process that strengthens the links between the SoS analysis stage and the architecture stage in the wave life cycle. We ensure that the mission and role concepts for the SoS definition are sufficiently abstract to allow adaptation to the variability of the environment. This definition is translated into an abstract architecture that guides the choices of the system architect during the design and evolution stages. The proposed language is an adaptation of the Systems Modeling Language (SysML). Furthermore, we define a crowd management SoS to illustrate the process.

An Architectural Description For The Application Of Mbse In Complex Systems

“…Vaneman and Carlson, [7] stated that value can be added through properly defined models that deliver an accurate virtual representation of enterprise, functional, physical, and parametric system entities. Similarly, Cherfa et al [8] posited that strong links between the architecting and SoS analysis stage are required. The SE community is eager for a development framework that is both data and model centric, which benefits from defined functional, operational, physical and logical architectures.…”

EDUFYSoS: A Factory of Educational System of Systems Case Studies

“…a) SoS Modeling: Model-based approaches [8] represent a promising direction for the analysis and development of SoS. Models are used in the different stages of SoS development, from mission model by the application domain expert to the architecture model by the system architect during the design and evolution stages of a SoS.…”

Introductory Chapter: Recent Trends in Systems-of-Systems Design, Modeling, Simulation and Analysis for Complex Systems, Gaming and Decision Support Final

“…As such, the task of SOS architecture design and analysis is to strike a balance between the enterprise goals of all involved stakeholders. Reference [14] employs this SoS requirement-based approach to address architecture design challenges from mission definition to architecting complex SOS. However, for complex SOS Type 2 architecture with different FoS types, with requirements that are not stable due to the technology changes and dynamic operational environment conditions for one type of FoS as compared to the other types of FoS, the requirement-based design approach may lead to a stove-pipe architecture solution due to the following reasons:…”