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- %&tex
- \chapter{Starting Point}
- \label{chap:background}
- The goal of the design plan is to develop a \ac{cps}.
- Due to the nature of \ac{cps}, it involves a multi-domain design approach.
- Therefore, the subject of \ac{se} is relevant to this approach.
- Furthermore, the \ac{ridm} is discussed in more detail in this chapter.
-
- The \ac{ridm} does not initiate from the problem description step.
- As this step is required a design from scratch, the \ac{ridm} is combined with the approach from \ac{se} establish the required design steps.
-
- \section{Systems Engineering}
- \label{sec:SE}
- \textcite{blanchard_systems_2014} describe \ac{se} in their book as: "an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems."
- Their book extensively covers multiple design methods and design steps in detail.
- For this thesis, their approach on \emph{Bringing a Systems into Being} and \emph{Preliminary System Design} are especially relevant.
- \ac{se} is a complete field of engineering on its own and only the top of the iceberg is used in this thesis.
-
- \section{Rapid Iterative Design Method}
- \label{sec:RIDM}
- The \ac{ridm} by \textcite{broenink_rapid_2019} describes a methodology using two core components for the implementation: the rapid development cycle and the variable-detail approach.
- The design method also describes the preparation steps that are required prior to this implementation.
- In short, the preparation prepares a list of features.
- These features are implemented one by one with in the rapid development cycle using the variable-detail approach.
- The following sections discus each of these three design steps.
-
- \subsection{Rapid Development Cycle}
- \label{sec:background_rdc}
- The goal of the rapid development cycle is sequential implementation of the features in a system.
- Each iteration of the rapid development incorporates the following steps:
- \begin{enumerate}
- \item Create an initial design and corresponding tests for the next feature.
- \item Implement and test that feature.
- \end{enumerate}
- The first step is to create an initial design and tests that are used to verify the requirements of the current feature.
- During the second step, the initial design is developed into a detailed design of the feature.
- This detailed design of the feature is develop with the variable-detail approach, in which the level of detail is stepwise incremented.
- When the second step is completed, the implemented feature contains all the required details and passes all the tests as defined in the first step.
- From this point the rapid development cycle is repeated for the next feature, or, when no features are left, finish the development.
-
- \subsection{Variable-Detail Approach}
- The variable-detail approach starts with a low-detailed model and increases the detail discretely over multiple iterations.
- The low-detailed model is for example a single transfer function of the system.
- In the following iteration, the detail of the model is increased by adding, for example, non-linearity, non-continuity or parasitic elements.
-
- The tests, as specified in the first step of the rapid development cycle, are performed after each addition of detail.
- If the tests show that the added detail is not conform the requirements, the added detail is reviewed or redesigned.
- When the added detail passes the tests, the process is repeated to add more detail.
- The variable-detail approach is finished when all the tests are passed and all the detail is added.
-
- \subsection{Preparation}
- Although the \ac{ridm} does not specify the complete steps for the preparation, it does state some requirements.
- The rapid development cycle requires a list of features that can be implemented one by one.
- These features are gained by partitioning the functionality of the system, such that features can be implemented and tested individually.
- For each feature it is required to specify the feature requirements and the corresponding test protocol.
- The feature requirements are based on the system requirements and the tests are used to validate that the feature meets its requirements.
- About the order of implementation, the \ac{ridm} states that critical features must be implemented first, as these features have an increased chance of invalidating the complete design.
- Would such a feature fail, the investment loss is limited, because the development is still in an early stage.
-
- \begin{marginfigure}
- \centering
- \includegraphics[width=66mm]{graphics/design_flow.pdf}
- \caption{Combined design plan, where the first three steps are based on the \ac{se}-approach and the other four steps are taken from the \ac{ridm} \autocite{broenink_rapid_2019}}
- \label{fig:design_flow}
- \end{marginfigure}
- \section{Combination}
- To create a complete design plan, design approaches from both \ac{se} and the \ac{ridm} are combined.
- The \ac{ridm} requires an initial design that is then split into features.
- To meet this requirement, a linear set of steps from problem description to initial design is used from \ac{se}.
- These three steps are shown at the top of \autoref{fig:design_flow} in the \acl{se} group.
- The steps show some similarity with the first steps of a V or Waterfall model.
-
- The requirements and initial design the four steps of \ac{ridm}.
- These four steps are grouped at the bottom of \autoref{fig:design_flow}.
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