What is model based systems engineering (MBSE)?
Model-based systems engineering is a methodology for using models to design and visualize complex products, to ensure requirements are satisfied and assess trade-offs before allocating tasks to the appropriate engineering disciplines such as, mechanical, electrical and software. MBSE simplifies the design of complex systems by using a common language for multidisciplinary collaborations. MBSE is most often used in safety-critical industries where meeting regulatory compliance is essential.
The importance of MBSE
MBSE is essential to developing complex systems because it defines the entire system and all of its pieces before building the product. It uses models to help organize the requirements, behaviors, and interactions for all the different parts of a complex system. Since MBSE uses models to communicate, it is easier to illustrate large, intricate, interconnected systems and their requirements in an easy-to-view framework. This methodology helps to reduce errors from the beginning of product development and improves collaboration among stakeholders.
Key features of model-based systems engineering
Standards-based modeling
Standards-based visual modeling in MBSE involves using data and diagrams alongside widely recognized modeling languages to represent complex systems. This includes SysML for systems-level design, UML for software architecture, OVM for managing variability, information engineering (IE) for data modeling, and BPMN and UAF for enterprise architecture. These standards promote clarity, consistency, and collaboration across disciplines and development stages.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
MBSE enables whole-team transparency through live, multiuser, and scalable modeling tools that include built-in configuration management. It brings together engineering and nonengineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, software, systems, data, and business within a shared modeling framework. By using standards like SysML, teams can collaboratively model and interact with the system in real time. This integrated approach enhances communication, minimizes misunderstandings, and ensures that design decisions reflect the diverse perspectives and constraints of all stakeholders, resulting in well-integrated systems.
System-level simulation
System-level simulation involves modeling and analyzing an entire system before it is physically built, using digital models within an MBSE framework. These simulations provide insights into how different components interact and function together, which allows teams to evaluate performance, identify issues, and validate requirements early in the design process. By simulating at the system level, organizations can significantly reduce development risks and avoid costly changes later on.
Systems of systems
In a system of systems, independent systems work together to form a larger, integrated system, where each system interacts and shares data with the others. MBSE provides a structured approach to visualize and analyze each individual system, both independently and as part of the collective whole. This enables systems engineers to effectively manage interoperability, understand system behaviors, and evaluate the impacts of changes within the broader system context.
System product lines
Shared models and components are an important part of product line engineering in MBSE, where graphical product line modeling helps engineers make decisions about module inclusion, parameter settings, and the number of parts in each configuration. This modeling approach also defines the logic and rules that determine how different product variants are configured. By enabling the reuse of design assets, it helps streamline development and improves consistency across a range of products.
What tools are used in MBSE?
MBSE is a combination of a few different concepts in engineering. It unites modeling, systems thinking, and systems engineering. Since MBSE encompasses three different schools, there are several different sets of tools that make up MBSE.
Systems modeling language (SysML)
There are multiple modeling languages used in MBSE. The primary modeling language is called SysML, which is the systems modeling language. This language is the universal modeling language that supports systems engineering applications and establishes a uniform way of representing models. Other related modeling languages include:
- UML (unified modeling language for software)
- UAF (Unified Architecture Framework)
- OVM (Variability Diagram Orthogonal Variability Modeling)
Depending on what a project entails, there may be different modeling languages used to define the specifications.
MBSE software tools
MBSE software tools include:
- Systems modeling tool
- SoS Library
- System PLE
- Visual System simulation
- Trade study analysis
- Automated system design review
- Modular design
- Use case modeling
- Incremental modeling
- Functional modeling
- Visual modeling with data and diagrams
Simulation and analysis tools
MBSE simulation and analysis tools include:
- Static simulation
- Dynamic simulation
- Visual, functional simulation
- Co-simulation
Requirements management tools
Requirements management tools
- Requirements and stories management for
- Business requirements
- System requirements
- User requirements
- Requirements related test management
Cross discipline orchestration and traceability with MBSE
Learn how PTC’s Digital Thread seamlessly weaves together PLM, Requirements Engineering, Test Management, and MBSE, fostering remarkable collaboration and coordination across disciplines. Start your Digital Thread journey to enable streamlined processes, heightened innovation, and impeccable product quality.
Automotive
MBSE has huge advantages for automotive OEMs and their suppliers. Complex system design capabilities make the integration of software and hardware easier. Enhanced transparency and traceability reduce the time to meet compliance and the ability to collaborate internally and externally with suppliers helps to accelerate the time to development.
Aerospace and defense
MBSE can advance aerospace and defense development by reducing risk in development and helping stakeholders to collaborate in real time to map requirements before beginning to build their products. The A&D industry faces strict regulatory requirements and extremely complex products. Traceability from requirements through the bill of materials can save A&D organizations time and money when building their products.
PTC’s MBSE software
PTC Modeler is an award-winning standards-based systems and software modeling solution that empowers architects and engineers to explore design alternatives, simulate design behavior, and communicate product requirements.
Windchill Asset Library enables a system-of-systems approach to MBSE that allows you to design subsystems in separate models and link them together into higher-level system models without duplicating data, so you can design the same way you build systems.
Windchill Process Director is a process definition and deployment solution aimed at providing an efficient approach to the challenge of defining organizational processes and aiding project managers to be more productive. Process quality improvement is supported through easy online maintenance that can be delivered to new and existing projects.
How are leading companies benefiting from PTC’s MBSE software?
See how your peers are benefiting from a MBSE approach.
Key product features
Implement techniques that offer a common visual language and structured engineering approach.
Live multi-user database: Enterprise solution enabling systems engineers to collaborate on designs, at the same time, without passing files or requiring check-in/out
Industry-standard system modeling: Intuitive, visual design using the OMG SysML 1 and 2 design complex system and systems of systems
Asset-based modular systems modeling: Modular systems of systems design approach, using the unique Windchill Asset Library to link models
Visual simulations: Visually simulate and co-simulate system functionality early in the design lifecycle for problem detection
Automated design review: Validate complex system designs early in the design lifecycle through automated design reviews
Variability modeling: Extend model-based systems engineering with system product line modeling and flow down into PLM
Assets management: Asset-based modular system design for systems of systems
Integrated software design: Flow down into software modeling and automated code generation for major programming languages and PTC’s ThingWorx IoT platform
PTC integration: Digital thread integrations: OSLC-based integrations to connect design data between PTC Modeler, Codebeamer, Windchill PLM, IBM DOORS Next and Siemens Polarion