Experiences and Advancements from One Year of Explorative Application of an Integrated Model- Based Development Technique Using C&C²-A in SysML

Abstract

The challenge of uncertainty and ambiguity is ubiquitous in the development of complex systems and needs to be faced. The all-embracing integration of specialists from multiple disciplines is proven to be a major challenge in the product engineering process. This article presents the experiences and advancements made within one year of explorative industrial application of an integrated technique for sustainable, multidisciplinary model-based systems engineering. The technique consists of two main partitions: the consistent specification of objectives and requirements on the one hand and a function-based modeling technique for the according System Architecture using the Contact & Channel – Approach (C&C²-A) on the other hand. Embedding it into the integrated Product engineering Model (iPeM) provides a capable and flexible guideline for managers and engineers. This article starts with a short introduction to Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and the most popular modeling language SysML, followed by an outline of current challenges in application. After a brief summary of related research work, the identified issues as motivation for this research work are derived. Then, a common understanding of important terms is established through semantic definitions using the Contact & Channel-Approach (C&C²-A). An according SysML-profile implementation is presented afterwards, followed by an integration of the modeling technique into the process model iPeM. An application example from hybrid powertrain development demonstrates the strengths of the presented technique and remaining room for improvements. A short summary and an outline to current and future researches complete this article.