Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T18:38:09.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE THROUGH AN INDUSTRY LENS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2021

Ivan Mervyn Mactaggart ,
Claudia Eckert  and
Helen Lockett
Ivan Mervyn Mactaggart*
Affiliation:
The Open University
Claudia Eckert
Affiliation:
The Open University
Helen Lockett
Affiliation:
The Open University
*
Mactaggart, Ivan Mervyn, The Open University, Engineering & Innovation, United Kingdom, [email protected]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

There is an inherent tension between functional descriptions of products and structural descriptions. Traditionally system architecture combine the two, by mapping system elements to functions. In this process fundamental decisions about the embodiment of a product are often taken without proper scrutiny. Axiomatic design advocates a zigzag between functional decomposition and system break down. While this approach makes sense for ab initio design these are rare and most products are developed incrementally., This paper takes up the idea of a functional reference architecture.

Conventional functional modelling advocates a hierarchical decomposition into sub function. By contrast FRAs decompose function into function chain, i.e., dependent sequences of sub function required to carry out an overall function. This allows the identification of common sub-functions in different chains, and thereby generates a lattice structure of functions rather than a tree. This enables a detailed but solution neutral description of the product.

This concept has attracted interest in industry but does not have many tools and methods to develop FRA. The paper discusses some of the areas that require research

Keywords

Design methodologySystems Engineering (SE)Functional modellingComplexityArchitecture
Type
Article
Information
Proceedings of the Design Society , Volume 1: ICED21 , August 2021 , pp. 467 - 476
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

References

Agyemang, M., Linsey, J., and Turner, C. (2017) “Transforming functional models to critical chain models via expert knowledge and automatic parsing rules for design analogy identification” AI EDAM, Vol 31 No. 4, pp. 501-511, https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0890060417000488Google Scholar
Behere, S., and Törngren, M. (2016). “A functional reference architecture for autonomous driving”, Information and Software Technology, Vol 73, pp. 136–150, doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2015.12.008CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Box, G. E. P. (1976), “Science and statistics”, Journal of the American Statistical Association, Vol 71 No.356, pp. 791–799, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1976.10480949CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Box, G. E. P. (1979), “Robustness in the strategy of scientific model building”, Robustness in Statistics, pp. 201–236, https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-438150-6.50018-2,CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caroni, A., Telleschi, G., Mactaggart, I., Willingham, E. and Pradel, P-H. (2019), “Reference Functional Missile Architecture: An Architecting Toolset to Drive Design and Modelling”, REConf, Munich, 11-15 March 2019, Hood Group, Munich.Google Scholar
Cloutier, R., Muller, G., Verma, D., Nilchani, R., Hole, E. and Bone, M. (2009), “The Concept of Reference Architecture”, Systems Engineering, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 14–27. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/sys.20129Google Scholar
Crawley, E.F. (2007). ESD.34 Systems Architecting—Lecture Notes. Cambridge, MA: MIT Engineering Systems Division.Google Scholar
Crilly, N. (2013). “Function propagation through nested systems”. Design Studies, Vol. 34 No.2, pp. 216–242.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eckert, C. (2013). “That which is not form: the practical challenges in using functional concepts in design”. AI EDAM, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 217-231Google Scholar
Eisenbart, B. Mandel, C. Gericke, K. & Blessing, L. (2013) “An Analysis of Functional Modelling Approaches Across Disciplines”. AI EDAM, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 281–289.Google Scholar
Eisenbart, B., Gericke, K., & Blessing, L. (2017) “Taking a look at the utilisation of function models in interdisciplinary design: insights from ten engineering companies”, Research in Engineering Design, Vol 28, pp.299–331. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00163-016-0242-3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Friedenthal, S., Moore, A., Steiner, R. (2012) A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language. MK/OMG Press. Waltham, USA.Google Scholar
Gero, J. and Kannengieser, U. (2004). “The situated Function-Structure-Behaviour Framework”. Design Studies, Vol 25, No. 4 pp.373–391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gollaglee, J., McNaughton, B., Plum, N., Powley, S. and Steponkute, U. (2020), “The Challenging Landscape of Model-based Initiatives”, ASEC20, 17–18 November 2020, INCOSE UK Ltd., London, pp. 53–61.Google Scholar
Hand, D. J. (2014), “Wonderful examples, but let's not close our eyes”, Statistical Science, Vol. 29, pp. 98–100, https://dx.doi.org/10.1214/13-STS446CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt, J. & Perry, S. (2013). SysML for Systems Engineers: A Model Based Approach. 2nd Edition. Institution of Engineering and Technology. Stevenage, UK.Google Scholar
INCOSE (2014). A World in Motion - The INCOSE 2025 vision. INCOSE. San Diego, USA.Google Scholar
INCOSE (2015). Systems Engineering Handbook: A Guide for System Life Cycle Processes and Activities (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, USA.Google Scholar
ISO (2011). ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2011 Systems and software engineering - Architecture description. Available on-line at: (ISO-ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2011-Systems and software engineering - Architecture description), Accessed: (18 October 2020).Google Scholar
Krob, D. (2017), CESAM: CESAMES System Architecting Method: A Pocket Guide [online] CES AMES. Available at: (http://cesam.community/en/cesam/), Accessed: (18 May 2020).Google Scholar
Lucero, B., Viswanathan, V.K., Linsey, J.S., and Turner, C.J. (2014). “Identifying Critical Functions for Use Across Engineering Design Domains” Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 136 Issue 12. https://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4028280CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Madni, A.M. and Purohit, S. (2019) “Economic Analysis of Model-based Systems Engineering”. Systems, Vol. 7 No. 12. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/systems7010012Google Scholar
Maier, J.F., Eckert, C.M., and Clarkson, J. (2016). Model granularity in engineering design – concepts and framework. Des. Sci., Vol 3, e1. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/design-science/article/model-granularity-in-engineering-design-concepts-and-framework/8F282B38679B56287E4B4DF861EF33F0 (Accessed 16 November 2019).Google Scholar
Pahl, G. and Beitz, W. (2007). Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach - 3rd Edition. Springer-Verlag. London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sillitto, H. (2014). Architecting Systems: Concepts, Principles and Practice. College Publications. United Kingdom.Google Scholar
Suh, N.P. (2001). Axiomatic Design: Advances and Applications. Oxford University Press. United Kingdom.Google Scholar
Summers, J. D., Eckert, C., & Goel, A. K. (2017). “Function in engineering: benchmarking representations and models”. AI EDAM, Vol.31 No. 4, pp.401-412. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0890060417000476Google Scholar
Telleschi, G., Caroni, A., Willingham, E. and Pradel, P-H. (2018), “Reference Functional Missile Architecture: addressing design in a multi-national defence company”. CIISE 2018, pp. 31–37Google Scholar
Ulrich, K. (1995). The role of product architecture in the manufacturing firm. Research Policy 24(3), 19–440.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ulrich, K., & Eppinger, S.D. (1995). Product Design and Development. New York: Irwin McGraw–Hill.Google Scholar
Vermaas, P. E. (2009). “The Flexible meaning of Function in Engineering”. ICED09. Stanford, USA. 24-27 August 2009, Vol. 2, pp. 113–124.Google Scholar
Vermaas, P.E. (2010). “Technical functions: towards accepting different engineering meanings with one overall account”. TMCE Symp 2010. Ancona Italy. 12-16 April 2010, pp. 183–194.Google Scholar
Vermaas, P. E. (2013). “The coexistence of engineering meanings of function: four responses and their methodological implications”. AI EDAM, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 191–202.Google Scholar
Weilkiens, T. (2006). Systems Engineering with SysML, MK/OMG, MA USAGoogle Scholar