Integration of SysML and simulation models for mechatronic systems

Abstract

Each engineering domain, such as mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and software engineering has developed specialized tools to support its engineering work. Also for the management of the design process a lot of customized tools are used. Most of them have independent programming interfaces making the coupling error prone and resource intensive. In order to better manage the overall system's aspects - what is essential for a well-founded mechatronic approach - appropriate models and corresponding tools for system description and simulation are necessary. All systematic development processes, i.e. conceptual design, detail design and common product refinement process, have to focus on the functional requirements and constraints of the overall system under consideration. Describing and maintaining this structure and all the associated data and documenting its relations with the virtual or real experiments is very helpful for a systematic and reliable development process. This paper analyses the use of SysML as a system description language as well as a modeling and simulation language for the aspects of "System Requirements", "System Behavior", and "System Structure" and their interdependence. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.