BRIDGING REALITIES: BRINGING MBSE MODELS TO LIFE WITH DIGITAL TWINS

Abstract

Modern-day systems, supported by exploding advances in technology, are growing increasingly complex. This surge of expanding capabilities in modern systems reinforces the need for effective design management to lower the risk of detrimental architecture mistakes. Alongside this growth, the systems engineering community is undergoing its own digital transformation aimed at identifying gaps between unconnected artifacts created by rapid development cycles and siloed engineering disciplines. Digital twins, in combination with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), can fill these gaps by consolidating system aspects, enabling intuitive interactions, and aiding real-time relationship analysis.

MBSE methodologies are being widely adopted to address expanding system capabilities, combat architectural risks, and mitigate communication difficulties. MBSE has been proven to improve these issues; however, it can still exhibit a complicated view. The sheer number of interconnected files and diagrams may impede communication, but proper vetting of design needs can be simplified with the use of digital twins. The authors have created a coupled digital twin and MBSE system that can fill these gaps.

Since digital twins are a validated representation of a system, they can be used to guide MBSE models. This paper focuses on validating MBSE attributes within a game engine environment, where visuals add interaction to analysis and context for system behaviors. The authors conducted a study focused on validating the authors' hypothesis that capabilities offered by an MBSE-linked digital twin can facilitate collaboration on development, as well as promote understanding between analysts and stakeholders. This paper provides the results of the authors' research and lessons learned exploring the fusion of an MBSE-linked digital twin with MBSE representations to promote real-time relationship analysis, rapid comprehension of complex systems, and collaboration across multiple domains.