Towards a verification and validation test framework for open system architectures

Abstract

Today's military platforms are equipped with variety of sensors and effectors. However, these components are rarely interconnected or are only linked via manufacturer-specific, proprietary interfaces. This hinders changes to and extensions of platform components. Often platform modifications are only possible with the help of the original integrator, which complicates a seamless integration of new components. In order to unify the interfaces of sub-systems and enhance platform interoperability, several open architecture initiatives have been launched on national and multi-national levels. Some as the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) have already recognised that new approaches for system verification and acceptance need to be considered. Nevertheless, these considerations are still on the conceptual level and no tools for rigorous interface conformity testing are yet in place. This paper describes a concept supporting the testing of interface specifications in early standardisation phases as well as the verification of platform architecture implementations in actual systems later on. On the example of the NGVA, a test framework is presented focussing on the reuse of test artefacts from early specification checking for later conformance and final acceptance testing. The approach is validated by means of a case study supporting the NGVA standardisation

Demonstrating interoperability between unmanned ground systems and command and control systems

“…In addition, STANAG 4754 also cover other aspects of the vehicle infrastructure. These include safety (NATO, 2018c), verification and validation (Ota et al, 2017) and Crew Terminal Software Architecture (CTSA) (NATO, 2018d). The CTSA aims at defining a standard Inter-Process Communication interface and the nature of its deployment in alignment with Crew Terminal hardware, so that CT software modules can be made portable and re-usable.…”

A Systematic and Traceable MOSA Evaluation Process for Systems Architectures: A Digital Engineering Tool

“…Various studies have been and are still being conducted on methods and approaches for evaluating whether systems actually embrace MOSA principles as reported by Gaska in (Gaska 2012), Rendon in (Rendon 2008), and Guertin in (Guertin 2017). Additionally, various authors have also reported on interface evaluation methods for open systems architectures (Colombi 2015, Burger 2014, the development of a MOSA decision support tool (Dai 2022), and a test framework for verification and validation of open systems architectures (Ota 2017). Although most of this research work involves the development of multiple ways in which systems can be evaluated for MOSA compliance, none adequately addresses the evaluation of architectures and architecture requirements prior to system design.…”