
Published in Electronic Design
Written by Ivan Straznicky
When considering systems-level design, it’s important to understand the criticality of the system infrastructure, meaning all of the underlying hardware required to make the system work. Add in ruggedness and reliability requirements and it only increases the importance of the system infrastructure.
Systems design in general is being revolutionized by model-based systems engineering (MBSE), which is a big part of a broader move to Digital Engineering and Transformation that's sweeping industries worldwide.
In particular, defense systems suppliers continue to see more requirements from customers for MBSE to be performed for systems design. MBSE is now frequently replacing document-based systems engineering, with the promise of fewer defects, less rework needed later in the system development phase, and faster overall schedules.
Model-Based Systems Engineering Has Streamlined System Design
MBSE, a subset of model-based engineering (MBE), can and should integrate with other MBE outputs, such as thermal engineering/design, signal-integrity (SI) engineering/design, and mechanical engineering/design, which today tend to be performed in isolated silos.
MBSE enables a holistic MBE design approach that delivers powerful benefits—faster design cycles, fewer failures in test because you’ve created models and performed digital simulations, doing virtual testing in the computer—so that any issues can be discovered and fixed before a physical prototype is developed and tested. That process leads to higher-quality designs and more innovation, because “what-if” analyses can be performed faster and more easily.
In the real world, though, it’s very difficult to do MBE. There’s no free lunch. Successful MBE demands the following:
- State-of-the-art tools
- Highly skilled engineers and designers
- Years/decades of experience running the necessary tools