Model-Based Systems Engineering
Map complex requirements with ease
What is model based systems engineering (MBSE)?
Model-based systems engineering is a methodology for using models to design and visualize complex products, to satisfy requitements and assess trade-offs before allocating tasks to the appropriate engineering disciplines, mechanical, electronic, software, etc. MBSE simplifies the design of complex systems by using a common language for multidisciplinary collaborators. MBSE is most often used in safety-critical industries where meeting regulatory compliance is essential.
Linking systems of systems for a competitive advantage
The ramifications of manual, document-based system engineering approaches can be felt across the extended enterprise. Cost, quality, and safety issues stem from difficulties in sharing, maintaining, and re-using inconsistent information scattered between drawings, spreadsheets, and word documents.
Solutions from PTC provide a collaborative, visual approach for better communication, clarity, and maintainability of all product data. MBSE applies modeling, tools, and methods to improve your systems engineering programs and projects, spurring technological innovation and positively impacting costs and productivity. Quality and regulatory compliance is also improved as risks are discovered and mitigated sooner.
What are the components of MBSE?
MBSE is a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to designing and maintaining complex systems, including engineering simulation software and mapping requirements. System architecture modeling both shows and describes a system’s architecture through a digital representation. This is the framework that the rest of the product development will follow. The ‘S’ can also stand for software architecture modeling, which similarly describes and provides a visual representation of the software project. Engineering simulation software allows users to run designs to check the performance of the product or requirements. Mapping the requirements before building and coding helps ensure they are properly defined and aligned.
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.
Some of the tools used in MBSE are:
- Modeling tools
- Simulation tools
- Analysis tools
- Requirements management tools
- Software development
- Configuration management
- Project management
Systems modeling language
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 configuration management 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.
MBSE case studies
See how your peers are benefiting from a MBSE approach.
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.
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 standard 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: Windchill and third-party integration using extended OSLC