Guide - Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering Guide

Engineering Design Phases

I. Project Definition

• Define: Objectives, Requirements, Stakeholder, Budget, Timeline
• Research: Existing Technology, Relevant Literature, Emerging Solutions

II. Design

• Conceptal Design: Brainstorm Design Option Space, Identify Multiple Preliminary System Architectures, Feasibility Analysis, Trade-Off Analysis, Concept Selection
• Engineering Design: Engineering Calculations, CAD Models, Component Selection, Risk Assessment / Major Challenges
• Finalized Design: Bill of Materials, Design Files

III. Build

• Procurement: Order Materials
• Fabrication: Machining, Wiring, Coding
• Integration: Integrate Components and Sub Systems

IV. Test

• Functionality: Basic Operation
• Characterization: Characterize System Performace, Calibrate Measurements
• Stress: Test Requirements Individual, Test Requirements Together, Field Tests

V. Iterate

• Rapid Iteration: Rapidly iterate through steps II-IV to achieve initial prototypes and proof-of-concept designs.
• Feedback: Use feedback from inital tests to improve system design.

VI. Deploy

• Deploy: Deploy system for real-world application.
• Monitor: Monitor system performance.
• Document: Document system design and results, share with community through outlets such as journals / conferences / white papers as appropriate.

Engineering Sub-Systems & Component Examples

Mechanical

• Structural: housings, chassies, backplanes, mounting brackets
• Fastening and Sealing: fasteners, clamps, gaskets, o-rings, epoxies
• Motion Support: bearings, hinges

Electrical

• Computing: computers, microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
• Power: batteries, voltage regulators, electrical switches
• Sensor Electronics: analog to digital converters (ADCs), data aquisition (DAQ)
• Motion Control Electronics: motor drivers, encoders
• Interconnects: circuit boards, wiring harnesses, connectors

Software

• Core: operating system, firmware
• Scripts: guidance, navigation, actuator control, sensor control, data handling
• Algorithms: PID, Kalman Filters, SLAM, etc.

Sensors

• Navigational: GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, IMU
• Optical: cameras, lidar, bacskatter
• Acoustic: sonar, ADCP, DVL, microphone
• Physical: temperature, pressure, force
• Chemical: conductivity, mass spec, gas analyzers

Motion

• Actuation, Electrical: stepper motors, servo motors, DC/AC motors, solenoids
• Actuation, Hydraulic: pumps, rotary actuators, cylinders
• End Effectors, Propulsion: wheels, propellors,
• End Effectors, Manipulation: robotic arms, grippers, pan-tilt

System Requirements

Basic Requriements

• SWaP: Size, Weight, Power
• Additional: Operation Duration, Total Lifetime

Environmental

• Thermal: operating temperature range, heat dissipation, insulation
• Pressure: atmospheric, submerged environments, vacuum
• Radiation: solar, electromagnetic, particle
• Shock & Vibration: shock, vibration
• Contamination: corrosive chemical, abrassive particulates, biofouling risks
• Illumination: ligthing conditions
• Terrain: surface material (rovers), water currents (submersibles), air currents (drones)

Sensors & Measurments

• Measurement Basics: range (min and max values), resolution (bit depth)
• Measurement Accuracy: noise (random fluctuations), offset (systematic bias), drift (change over time)
• Measurement Temporal Factors: sampling rate, sensor response time, timestamp accuracy and synchronization between data streams
• Measurement Spatial Factors: type (point, integrated area, spatial array), spatial range (total area /volume sampled), spatial resolution (minimum area / volume sampled)
• Interference: interference between different active sensors

Electrical

• Power: energy capacity, charging rate, voltage regulation, isolation, distribution
• Communications: protocols, data throughput
• Computing: processing speed, input/outputs, data retention, data redundancy
• Thermal: temperature range
• Electromagnetic Interference: interference and noise protection

Mechanical

• Pressure / Loads: pressure rating, seals, load rating, vibrational rating
• Thermal: temperature range, heat dissipation, insulation
• Mating / Interfaces: system connections
• Stability: dynamic stability during movements

Motion

• Propulsion: force, speed, acceleration, motion resolution and control
• Manipulation: degrees of freedom, resolution, force
• Navigation: accuracy, reliability

Additional

• Redundancy: single point failures
• Reliability & Repair: ability to fix system issues, lifetime
• Regulatory: transportation, safety, environmental
• Interoperability: compatability with other systems, electrical and mechanical
• Scalibility: replication of system