Graph-based Parameter Management for Configuration Controlled Multi-level Modeling of Cyber-physical Systems

Engineering cyber-physical systems requires cross-domain collaboration and multiple design iterations. Novel architectures, such as sustainable aviation propulsion or autonomous vehicles require improved digital integration to make the development of such systems feasible with acceptable time to market and quality. The aim of this study is to explore ways of improving digital integration further through augmented model and data artifact integration. This is accomplished via a centralized graph database that supports the single source of truth paradigm for improved cross-domain data exchange as well as integrated multi-level modeling for vertical integration between system and lower level development activities. The presented solution architecture integrates multiple authoring tools and allows for feature/object level traceability within individual models to parameters stored in the database, as opposed to tracing entire models. The proposed architecture allows for improved change impact analysis and tracking of interrelationships between system elements and their digital representations. This enables faster turnaround during design iterations and a more efficient use of modeling and simulations, as well as improved consistency between domain activities and systems-level activities across the product development lifecycle.