Giacomo Barbieri

A SysML based design pattern for the high-level development of mechatronic systems to enhance re-usability

Model driven engineering approaches can be used to handle the complexity in the development of modern mechatronic systems, containing a multitude of mechanical, electrical/electronic and software components. However, up to now SysML, as standard systems engineering language, is not wide spread in industry yet. Reasons therefore are missing adequate guidelines for the modeling process as well as an unclear benefit of the created SysML-models. A well-created system model however poses enormous time advantages during the analysis of change influences in later lifecycle phases of the system and makes an interdisciplinary reuse of modules in the development of new systems possible. A prerequisite therefore is the efficient traceability of all information within the system model. Thus, in this paper a SysML based process for the high-level development of mechatronic systems is applied, reaching from requirements specification to the detailed modeling of the element-connections (discipline specific as well as interdisciplinary). Our approach shows how the information from the different levels of abstraction and the different development phases can be connected, including a functional modularization of the mechatronic system. In this way, developers can trace change influences more easily. The functional modules can be used during the development of new systems, resulting in significant shortened development cycles. The proposed design pattern is shown at the example of a bench-scale model of a production plant.

Possibilities and Challenges of an Integrated Development Using a Combined SysML-Model and Corresponding Domain Specific Models

Abstract The development of a production plant, with multiple involved disciplines, requires many different models such as simulation models for the physical domain or models of the control-software. As all these models represent parts of the same system, it is inefficient to develop every model from scratch. Rather an integrated model, which considers all relevant aspects, should be set up first and from this the required domain specific models should be generated through model transformations. For the integrated model, the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) poses a suitable possibility to integrate the views of the different disciplines. Based on a literature research, existing model transformations from the integrated model to specific models as well as necessary extensions are presented. In this way a framework for an integrated development, where the SysML-model forms the integrating core model of the system, while the simulation of the different parts is carried out in domain specific simulation tools, can be established. Core benefits of this method are the consistency of the models, and the fast and cost-efficient simulation and testing of the system at different points of the development cycle and with different levels of detail.

Overcoming real time bond in high level simulation environments

Development and verification of real time controllers for complex mechatronic devices are important steps in order to assure performance and quality of the overall system. Simulation techniques are utilized for supporting development and testing of controllers in parallel with the physical system design. In particular, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) is being investigated in the field of packaging machines. HIL requires the identification of the proper level of detail of a simulated model of the physical plant in order to be computed in real time. Moreover, the model must exhibit a behaviour similar to the real one in order to end up with a reliable controller. However, this trade-off is not easy to reach when physical processes with fast dynamics must be managed. This article deals with the issue of overcoming the real time bond in simulation environments which does not allow the access to the state space equations. In particular, it defines a process for identifying the proper time step of the resolution algorithm and guidelines for model order reduction (MOR) of the model dynamics. The proposed approach has been applied for the HIL simulation of the filling system of a packaging machine.

Tools for the development of a design methodology for mechatronic systems

Over the last few years, systems have become a combination of multiple disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, electronics and software engineering. A great number of methods have been introduced to face the increasing complexity of mechatronic systems but all show difficulties on integrating the various methodologies and competences of the single disciplines. For this reason, we are going to propose a brand-new design methodology and we have started here from the identification of some fundamental tools.

Design of cyber-physical systems: Definition and metamodel for reusable resources

The utilization of modular and reusable resources would reduce complexity and lead-time for the design of cyber-physical systems. Even if different theories have been proposed, there is not a general definition and metamodel applicable for reusable resources. Energetic approaches constitute the state of the art for modeling the dynamics of physical systems. Within this work, Power-Oriented Graphs energetic approach is adapted to cyber-physical systems in order to provide a definition for reusable resources. Eventually, a metamodel for reusable resources is proposed.

Design of mechatronic systems through aspect and object-oriented modeling

Abstract Design of mechatronic systems involves the use of multiple disciplines, from mechanics to electronics and computer science. Different granularities of hybrid co-simulations with increasing details can be used during the design process. However, there is the need of modeling tools for effectively managing the necessary abstraction layers. This work proposes a combination of Aspect-Oriented and Object-Oriented modeling for reaching the goal. Moreover, it shows how the utilization of these tools can facilitate design-space exploration, segregation of domains of expertise and enhances co-design.