The document describes an approach for conducting modular trade studies using SysML simulation. It discusses implementing trade studies in Cameo Systems Modeler and IBM Rhapsody. The key aspects of the approach are:
1. Creating a generic system block with attribute properties and specialized subsystem blocks that inherit those properties.
2. Instancing the specialized subsystem blocks to evaluate their attribute properties through simulation.
3. Assembling the subsystem instances into vehicle instances to evaluate overall system utility through parametric simulation constraints.
This allows evaluating different subsystem options in a modular way and integrating the results into an overall system trade study comparison. The document provides step-by-step explanations of implementing this approach in Cameo and Rhaps
2. Agenda - Modular Trade Studies with SysML Simulation
The Trade Study Problem
Implementation in Cameo Systems Modeler
Implementation in IBM Rhapsody
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3. The Trade Study Problem
Neither the SysML Standard nor the main textbooks make it obvious how
to actually execute a trade study
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4. Drivetrain – A Typical Trade Study Problem
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Vehicle
Gasoline
Drivetrain
Diesel
Drivetrain
Battery Electric
Drivetrain
Fuel Cell
Drivetrain
System of Interest Candidates for Drivetrain Subsystem
5. Assessing the Utility of a Drive Train
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Drivetrain
Mass?
Volume?
Torque?
Fuel
Range?
Attribute Points Polarity Measure
Mass 20 Less is
better
% of 1000kg
Volume 20 Less is
better
% of 2 m3
Torque 30 More is
better
% of 1000 Nm
Fuel
Range
30 More is
better
% of 1000 km
6. First Try – Taking the Textbooks at Face Value
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This would be a mess. While this ultra-simple example might not look too bad,
cross-connecting everything all in one model would get very tangled.
7. Instances and Generalization are the Key
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1. Simulation (both Cameo and Rhapsody) runs off of instances, not off of block
definitions. When you tell either tool to simulate a block, the tool actually creates
an instance underneath the covers and runs that instance to execute the
simulation.
2. Composed instances can be assembled manually in both tools.
3. Generalization 101 – A specialized class can be used anywhere its general
parent can be used.
8. Strategy – the System of Interest
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1. The vehicle has only one (generic) drivetrain
part.
2. The generic drivetrain contains value properties
for the key attributes.
3. A parametric simulation at the vehicle level
evaluates the utility of the drivetrain from its value
properties.
9. Strategy – Subsystems Being Studied
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1. The four different drivetrain blocks specialize
the generic drivetrain block.
2. Each specialized drivetrain block includes the
four inherited value properties.
3. Each specialized drivetrain block can add as
much unique modeling complexity as needed to
evaluate and deliver values in the four value
properties.
4. Instances for each specialized drivetrain can be
manually inserted into the part slot for the generic
drivetrain in an instance of the vehicle.
10. Implementation in Cameo Systems Modeler
Cameo Step-by-Step
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11. Set Up the Trade Study
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In order to set up a parametric
diagram for simulation, it is
helpful to have a single block
that owns all of the elements.
12. Create the Parametric Diagram
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In order to use simulation, the
names of the constraint
parameters need to be “Script
Friendly”
Connect everything with binding
connectors.
13. Set the Constraint Equation
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Setting the language to “Built-In
Math” is critical
Implicitly declare local variables
(“mass_score”) to make the
equation more modular.
14. Create Vehicle Instances
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Create vehicle instances, one for
each sort of drive train. Notice
that at this point, the vehicle
instances do not (yet) included
drivetrain instances.
15. Create Drivetrain Instances
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Create one instance for each
type of drivetrain.
In order to keep the length of this presentation manageable
and focus on the core technique, we will just directly set the
“answer” for each drivetrain instance. HOWEVER, it is
definitely possible to create a unique simulation approach for
each drivetrain type to more accurately calculate the value
properties for that specific type of drivetrain.
16. Install the Drivetrain Instances in the Vehicle Instances
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Create a BDD with the four
vehicle instances.
The drivetrain instances can be “installed” by simply
dragging them to their respective vehicle instances.
17. Create the Trade Study Instances
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Create four trade study instances, each one with an analysis
constraint block and with a results block, but without a vehicle (yet).
18. Install the Vehicles in the Trade Study Instances
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Once again, install each vehicle
instance into its corresponding
trade study instance.
19. Create an Instance Table for the Trade Study Instances
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Now you are ready to create an instance table for the trade study instances.
Select the columns you want to display. Since everything is owned ultimately
by the trade study block, you can display any of the value properties in any of
the nested part blocks. Drag the columns around as needed.
Notice that the score is still “0” for each instance….
20. Run the Trade Study
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Select all of the rows. Pull down the evaluation menu. Select “Evaluate
Selected Rows”.
21. Done
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The scores for the different trade study instances have been calculated.
At this point there are several options:
1. The numerical results can be pushed back into the model instances. (This is an explicit step
if you want to do this. The instances are not updated by default.)
2. The results can be exported to a spreadsheet using the “Export” tool.
3. The results can be copied and pasted into any other software application (including
Microsoft Excel) that can accept the data.
22. Implementation in IBM Rhaposdy
Rhaposdy Step-by-Step
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23. Set Up the Trade Study
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We can set up in Rhapsody the
same way we set up in Cameo.
Rhapsody seems to be a bit
more flexible than Cameo about
how parametric diagrams are
constructed, but this structure
makes sense and helps us keep
our efforts straight.
24. Create the Parametric Diagram
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Again we will need
some intermediate
variables for the
complicated calculation.
In Rhapsody these must
be defined as extra
constraint parameters
and must be shown in
the diagram.
Connect as before.
25. Set the Constraint Equation
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Rhapsody constraints apparently
can’t span lines.
Instead, five separate constraints
are needed, with one line of
equation for each constraint.
The equation language is for the
open source MAXIMA solver, but
happens to be identical to the
built-in math used in Cameo.
26. Install Maxima
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Get Maxima from:
https://maxima.sourceforge.io/
It is free and very easy to install.
27. Play with Maxima to Make Sure it is Working
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Once installed, Maxima will run
from your Windows start menu.
It presents a command line
interpreter similar to MATRLAB.
Doing simple things can be a bit
obtuse, but it can do incredibly
powerful calculations.
Check online for tutorials.
28. Add PCE Profile to Rhapsody
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29. Make Sure PCE is Configured
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30. Create Vehicle Instances
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We can create vehicle instances
in Rhapsody in the same
manager as in Cameo and
manually configure the drivetrain
in each one….
However, they end up being sort
of irrelevant because the
Rhapsody Parametric Constraint
Evaluator does not work fully
with nested instances.
31. Create Drivetrain Instances
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Create one instance for each
type of drivetrain.
Again, we set the values directly for each instance.
32. Add Constraint Views
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Next we create one
ConstraintView element for each
trade study instance.
These can be created by right-
clicking on the package and
selecting “Add New”
Right-click on each
ConstraintView and use “Add
New” to add a reference to the
parametric diagram and another
reference to the drivetrain
instance.
33. Open the Constraint View
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Values are picked up from the
instance.
Clear the result, click “Evaluate”
PCE will calculate the result.
Results can be written back into
the model or exported to a CSV
file.
34. Questions?
If you would like a copy of the presentation or of the models, send me an e-
mail:
– David_Hetherington@ieee.org
– dhetherington@systemxi.com
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