Exploiting Augmented Intelligence in Systems Engineering and Engineered Systems

Insight ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Azad M. Madni
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Engineered Systems

scholarly journals AN IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT FOR REVIEWING MODEL-CENTRIC DESIGNS

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 447-456
Author(s):  
Victor Romero ◽  
Romain Pinquié ◽  
Frédéric Noël
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Immersive Virtual Environment ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Heterogeneous Models ◽  
Immersive Environment ◽  
Engineered Systems

AbstractNew design objectives as the digital twin encourage companies to replace the tradition document-based systems engineering approach by a model-centric one. All views of the system rely on different types of models that serve many objectives, especially to improve communication among stakeholders. However, the increasing number of heterogeneous models jeopardize communication at the end. Indeed, to get a holistic view of the virtual definition, engineers have no other alternative than to navigate through numerous models requiring domain-specific software and language. In this paper, we propose to use virtual reality to develop an immersive environment for a collaborative model-centric review of engineered systems. The virtual environment, which relies on a digital thread stored in a graph-oriented database, enables users to explore a model-centric design by navigating through the models in a unique virtual space. To illustrate our proposal, we use a model-centric design of a telescope and shows how our preliminary prototype supports the reviewing activity with data limited to the architecture and geometry. Future works will concentrate on the integration of data related to other perspectives on the system.

scholarly journals Control and Optimization of Multi-Agent Systems and Complex Networks for Systems Engineering

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2070
Author(s):  
Manuel Herrera ◽  
Marco Pérez-Hernández ◽  
Ajith Parlikad ◽  
Joaquín Izquierdo
Keyword(s):  
Complex Networks ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Multi Agent Systems ◽  
Agent Systems ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Engineered Systems

Systems engineering crosses multiple engineering disciplines for the design, control, and overall management of engineered systems [...]

Large-Scale System Analysis Under Uncertainty

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro D. Domínguez-García
Keyword(s):  
Power Systems ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Engineering Application ◽  
Bulk Power ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Power Application ◽  
The Impact

Discover a comprehensive set of tools and techniques for analyzing the impact of uncertainty on large-scale engineered systems. Providing accessible yet rigorous coverage, it showcases the theory through detailed case studies drawn from electric power application problems, including the impact of integration of renewable-based power generation in bulk power systems, the impact of corrupted measurement and communication devices in microgrid closed-loop controls, and the impact of components failures on the reliability of power supply systems. The case studies also serve as a guide on how to tackle similar problems that appear in other engineering application domains, including automotive and aerospace engineering. This is essential reading for academic researchers and graduate students in power systems engineering, and dynamic systems and control engineering.

A Flipped Classroom Approach to Conveying the Basics of Systems Thinking to Engineering Undergraduates

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Weaver ◽  
Darrell K. Kleinke
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Verification And Validation ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
System Verification ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Design Experience ◽  
Capstone Design

Engineering students spend the majority of their academic careers learning tools to enable tasks related to detailed design. For example, a mechanical engineer may learn to size a heat exchanger so that an engine would not overheat, an electrical engineer may learn to specify gains in a control system to provide desired performance, and a civil engineer may learn to size columns to avoid buckling. While these analytical capabilities are essential to the execution of engineered systems, there are tools and perspectives related to systems and their design that are historically absent in an undergraduate engineering education. Through the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) and the University of New Haven, the authors have developed a flipped classroom module that provides a basis in systems thinking as related to the conception and execution of complex engineered systems. The module could be useful in several areas of the curriculum, but is primarily intended to develop perspectives and skills necessary to ensure a successful capstone design experience. The module is broken into five lessons: (1) Foundational Concepts, (2) Key Systems Principles, (3) Architecture Development, (4) Multiple Views of a System, and (5) System Verification and Validation. Lesson 1 begins with the importance of the problem statement, and then proceeds to introduce form and function, function mapping, and many key definitions (system, interface, architecture, systems engineering, and complexity). Lesson 2 introduces key systems principles, including systems thinking, systems of systems, and system decomposition. Lesson 3 overviews the systems architecting process and summarizes the four most typical methods used to develop a system architecture. Lesson 4 discusses viewing a system from six different perspectives. Lesson 5 presents the systems engineering V model, requirements cascading, and verification and validation. The module includes several interactive activities and built in knowledge checkpoints. There is also a final challenge wherein the students must apply what they’ve learned about systems thinking and systems engineering to a hypothetical problem. This paper will further describe the module content and format. The paper will also make the case that the content included in the module is essential to an efficient, effective, and rewarding capstone design experience. This is achieved by summarizing common pitfalls that occur in a capstone design project and how good systems thinking can avert them. The pitfalls covered include failure to fully understand all key stakeholders’ most important needs, failure to understand desired system function in a solution-neutral way and failure to follow a robust process to map function to form, poor choice of how to decompose the system into subsystems, errors/inefficiencies in interface definition and management, and poor (if any) planning for design verification and validation.

Network Methods in Engineering

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Offer Shai ◽  
Kenneth Preiss
Keyword(s):  
Graph Theory ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Solid Mechanics ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Mathematical Representation ◽  
Network Graph ◽  
Electric Circuits ◽  
Engineering Theory ◽  
Network Methods ◽  
Engineered Systems

This paper reviews the main idea underlying the use of network graph theory for analysis or for design of physical engineered systems. A physical engineered system is a system built from physical components, as compared with a system built only from symbols or software. The term includes structures, mechanisms, electric circuits and more. Different engineered systems may be represented as the same graph, or as graphs that show a known mathematical relationship between them. We then have a single mathematical representation that is applicable to more than one engineered system. The properties of the graph, as known from graph theory, are applicable to all the engineered systems in domains that match that graph. The graph can be regarded as a generalized representation suitable for various engineered systems. Engineering theory is commonly divided into domains, solid mechanics, mechanisms, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and more. When dealing with engineered systems using the language and mathematical formality of graph theory such divisions become unnecessary. Network graph theory can apply similar or even identical theory to many engineering domains.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Fault Modes Masked by Control Loops with an Application to Autonomous Hovercraft Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Sconyers ◽  
Young-Ki Lee ◽  
Kilsoo Kim ◽  
Sehwan Oh ◽  
Dimitri Mavris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Control ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Fault Injection ◽  
Autonomous Systems ◽  
Failure Detection ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
Control Loops ◽  
Detection Techniques ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Inefficient Operation

This paper introduces a methodology for the design, testing and assessment of incipient failure detection techniques for failing components/systems of critical engineered systems/processes masked or hidden by feedback control loops. It is recognized that the optimum operation of critical assets (aircraft, autonomous systems, industrial processes, etc.) may be compromised by feedback control loops, which mask severe fault modes while compensating for typical disturbances. Detrimental consequences of such occurrences include the inability to detect expeditiously and accurately incipient failures, loss of control, and inefficient operation of assets in the form of fuel overconsumption and adverse environmental impact. A novel control-theoretic framework is presented to address the masking problem. Major elements of the proposed approach are employed in simulation to develop, implement and validate how faults are distinguished from disturbances and how faults are detected and identified with performance guarantees, i.e., prescribed confidence level and given false alarm rate.The demonstration and validity of the tools/methods employed necessitates, in addition to the theoretical content, a suitable testbed. We have employed and describe briefly in this paper an autonomous hovercraft as the test prototype. We pursue a systems engineering process to design, construct and test the prototype hovercraft instrumented appropriately for purposes of fault injection, monitoring and the presence of control loops. We emphasize a general control-theoretic framework to the masking problem and utilize a simulation environment to derive results and illustrate the efficacy of the methodology.

scholarly journals Teaching Cyber-Physical Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (03) ◽  
pp. S3-S8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Zivi
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Cyber Security ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Cyber Physical Systems ◽  
Naval Academy ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Industrial Control ◽  
Seamless Integration ◽  
Physical Systems ◽  
Engineered Systems

This article discusses various aspects of a course on cyber-physical systems (CPS) in the educational programs of defense organizations. CPS are engineered systems that are built from, and depend upon, the seamless integration of computational algorithms and physical components. The article also highlights various objectives of the CPS course. A central challenge to deploying resilient CPSs involves the appreciation for the multi-disciplinary challenges and the lack of a unified framework for CPS analysis, design and implementation. A significant part of the course focuses on a case study in industrial control of a Vinyl Acetate (VAc) chemical plant. The course described herein presents fundamental concepts within the rapidly expanding field of CPS and has been tailored to and is well received by U.S. Naval Academy Systems Engineering senior level engineering students. The U.S. Naval Academy thrust in cyber security studies includes a new major, Cyber Sciences, and construction of a new facility, Hopper Hall, to house the assembled multi-disciplinary teaching and research team.

scholarly journals A Governance Perspective for System-of-Systems

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Polinpapilinho F. Katina ◽  
Charles B. Keating ◽  
James A. Bobo ◽  
Tyrone S. Toland
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Uncertain Systems ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
System Of Systems ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
System Of Systems Engineering ◽  
And Performance

The operating landscape of 21st century systems is characteristically ambiguous, emergent, and uncertain. These characteristics affect the capacity and performance of engineered systems/enterprises. In response, there are increasing calls for multidisciplinary approaches capable of confronting increasingly ambiguous, emergent, and uncertain systems. System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) is an example of such an approach. A key aspect of SoSE is the coordination and the integration of systems to enable ‘system-of-systems’ capabilities greater than the sum of the capabilities of the constituent systems. However, there is a lack of qualitative studies exploring how coordination and integration are achieved. The objective of this research is to revisit SoSE utility as a potential multidisciplinary approach and to suggest ‘governance’ as the basis for enabling ‘system-of-systems’ coordination and integration. In this case, ‘governance’ is concerned with direction, oversight, and accountability of ‘system-of-systems.’ ‘Complex System Governance’ is a new and novel basis for improving ‘system-of-system’ performance through purposeful design, execution, and evolution of essential metasystem functions.’

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization for Complex Engineered Systems: Report From a National Science Foundation Workshop

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy W. Simpson ◽  
Joaquim R. R. A. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Design Optimization ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
The State ◽  
Multidisciplinary Design ◽  
Research Center ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Engineered Systems

Complex engineered systems are typically designed using a systems engineering framework that is showing its limitations. Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO), which has evolved remarkably since its inception 25 years ago, offers alternatives to complement and enhance the systems engineering approach to help address the challenges inherent in the design of complex engineered systems. To gain insight into these challenges, a one-day workshop was organized that gathered 48 people from industry, academia, and government agencies. The goal was to examine MDO’s current and future role in designing complex engineered systems. This paper summarizes the views of five distinguished speakers on the “state of the research” and discussions from an industry panel comprised of representatives from Boeing, Caterpillar, Ford, NASA Glenn Research Center, and United Technologies Research Center on the “state of the practice.” Future research topics to advance MDO are also identified in five key areas: (1) modeling and the design space, (2) metrics, objectives, and requirements, (3) coupling in complex engineered systems, (4) dealing with uncertainty, and (5) people and workflow. Finally, five overarching themes are offered to advance MDO practice. First, MDO researchers need to engage disciplines outside of engineering and target opportunities outside of their traditional application areas. Second, MDO problem formulations must evolve to encompass a wider range of design criteria. Third, effective strategies are needed to put designers “back in the loop” during MDO. Fourth, the MDO community needs to do a better job of publicizing its successes to improve the “buy in” that is needed to advance MDO in academia, industry, and government agencies. Fifth, students and practitioners need to be better educated on systems design, optimization, and MDO methods and tools along with their benefits and drawbacks.

scholarly journals Theoretical Foundations for Preference Representation in Systems Engineering

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Hanumanthrao Kannan ◽  
Garima V. Bhatia ◽  
Bryan L. Mesmer ◽  
Benjamin Jantzen
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Preference Representation ◽  
Rigorous Framework ◽  
Stakeholder Preferences ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

The realization of large-scale complex engineered systems is contingent upon satisfaction of the preferences of the stakeholder. With numerous decisions being involved in all the aspects of the system lifecycle, from conception to disposal, it is critical to have an explicit and rigorous representation of stakeholder preferences to be communicated to key personnel in the organizational hierarchy. Past work on stakeholder preference representation and communication in systems engineering has been primarily requirement-driven. More recent value-based approaches still do not offer a rigorous framework on how to represent stakeholder preferences but assume that an overarching value function that can precisely capture stakeholder preferences exists. This article provides a formalism based on modal preference logic to aid in rigorous representation and communication of stakeholder preferences. Formal definitions for the different types of stakeholder preferences encountered in a systems engineering context are provided in addition to multiple theorems that improve the understanding of the relationship between stakeholder preferences and the solution space.

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