System function implementation and behavioral modeling: A systems theoretic approach

Abstract

Systems theory is now a mature part of the discipline of general systems engineering science, with a substantial amount of research effort having been undertaken in the last 40 yearshowever, there is still very little evidence of the widespread practical use of systems-theoretic methods within the engineering industry. This is despite there being strong evidence that many of the current problems in the delivery of acceptable (or even usable) large, complex, systems solutions result from a failure to apply a rigorous systems-science approach. This paper therefore introduces some practical ideas for the effective use of an established mathematical systems theory to the specification and design of engineered system solutions. In particular, the following areas are explored: the capture of system requirement (and in particular ways of ensuring a proper and comprehensive specification of input/output requirements); the modeling of system (complicated) behaviors, including anomalous behaviors arising as a consequence of real system implementation; and the formal relationship between a comprehensive input/output requirement specification and the "complicated" behaviors of the candidate system design solutions. An established theory of systems design, using formal constructs and set-theory notation, is used throughout this paper as the basis for the presentation of ideas.

Manufacturing Enterprise Control and Management System Engineering: paradigms and open issues

“…(Insert Fig. 4 here) Among many key elements in making the best possible decision in a Systems engineering project, formal approaches using theorem-proving constructs and set-theory notation (Shell, 2001) combined with unified modelling techniques (papers in Kopacek, et al, 2001) appear well suited in an early phase of a project life-cycle for checking global coherence and partial consistency between all the various requirements and specifications of different functions of the system. These set-theory based prescriptive approaches (Feliot, 1997;Penalva, 1997) focusing on the system and on proper and comprehensive understanding of its objectives are the critical link in bridging the gap with the normative descriptive approaches that focus primarily on the project and the qualitative and quantitative management of the engineer's activities.…”

The synthesis of optimal systems design solutions

“…It is in this context that the concept of complexity is introducedin terms of the interactions of the behavioral modes of the components, such that an overall system mode(s) of behavior is exhibited (system mode hologenicity). In general, we are dealing with complex (multiple components) systems with (usually) complicated (multiple modes) behaviors [Shell, 2001]. This concept of system complexity is important in terms of the subsequent decomposition of optimization tradeoff requirements, and the identification of optimal component designsas addressed in detail in later sections of this paper.…”

A mathematical model of verification strategies

“…Literature shows a breach between theory and practice in systems engineering . Consider for example Wymore's foundational work in Model‐Based Systems Engineering .…”