Demo Case: Modelbased Optimization of Architecture and Diagnostics

The following two videos illustrate a possible scenario of using one and the same executable system model for several purposes, that are classically performed by very different teams:

  1. the search of an optimal system architecture, i.e. a design that provides the proper functionality e.g. with minimal costs and
  2. the evaluation of possible diagnostic strategies, i.e. the proper order of individual diagnostic steps to find the single guilty root cause.

The example system represents a coach of a train, for that the proper selection and connectivity of sensors, control units and actuators shall be found. This is typically done during early design phases:

Video 1: Design Optimization

Find an optimal network architecture considering geometry, costs and functionality:


Here are some features that are shown in the video:

  • The functional model was not specified completely, but degrees of freedom were left internally. Here, the decision to activate or deactivate individual routing paths for the sensor signal wires was left to the optimization engine.
  • Taking into account geometrical properties, specific component masses and costs, the globally best solution was desired, minimizing the total costs of the design while simultaneously fulfilling safety and reliability demands.
  • Costs, masses, reliability figures, geometrical and other properties of the various designs were easily comparable and visualized.
  • General knowledge about components and their intended role within an architecture was captured in the documentation, making the model to a visual knowledge base.
  • Troubleshooting trees were derived automatically by some mouseclicks, allowing to get an impression of the testability and maintainability effort of this particular architecture.

The analysis is performed with the modelbased and object-oriented tool RODON, one of the tools of the icomod portfolio. And here is the next episode:

Video 2: Creating Decision Trees

Generate Troubleshooting Instructions automatically from a given architecture model


We hope you enjoyed it!
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