Experiences in Applying Architecture-Centric
Model Based System Engineering to Large-Scale, Distributed,
Real-Time Systems
July 2007
Thomas M. Wheeler, The MITRE Corporation
Michael D. Brooks, Northrop Grumman Corporation
ABSTRACT
Experiences in applying Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques
on a large-scale, distributed, real-time system are presented. Challenges
and applied approaches with associated lessons learned are described
for both technical and socialogical issues. Examples of technical issues
addressed include: defining timing requirements and analyzing the ramifications
of design choices on these requirements; early execution of the design
for behavior analysis to include the use of realistic publish and subscribe
mechanisms; managing the rapidly evolving design model so that a large
number of engineers can make modifications to it (including the need
to incorporate practices of managing software builds); and incorporating
legacy software into an MBSE approach. Socialogical issues addressed
include: using MBSE to work as a team when members span multiple organizations
and technical/business domains; the need for a variety of views of the
model based on team members backgrounds (i.e., one type of view such
as UML will not meet all needs); information hiding so that there is
one logically consistent model, yet parts of it can be hidden from some
members of the team (for example, when individuals may not have a security
clearence that allows them to see certain aspects of the design); and
aspects of MBSE that need to be accounted for when creating project
schedules (for example, there may need to be model integration periods
scheduled similar to software integration periods). A major source of
material for this paper was the authors collaboration on the requirements
analysis and preliminary design of the U.S. Air Force's E-10A
Multi-Sensor Command and Control system.
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