Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)

Jutta Abulawi, HAW Hamburg
Lars Hagge, DESY

DESY develops, builds and operates large-scale research facilities using leading-edge technology, for which well-organized, interdisciplinary collaboration is of essential importance. The many technical systems in a facility have to be designed and optimized in an integrated approach already from the very beginning. Interfaces have been identified and minimized, but most importantly, a common “visual” presentation of the planned facilities must be developed early-on and maintained through the entire system lifecycle as a basis for communication and decision making (so-called “vision sharing”).

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) as a rapidly growing discipline addresses interdisciplinary collaborative engineering in increasingly complex projects, with special focus on integrated modeling (e.g. schematic diagrams, 3D geometric models, mathematical simulation models, software models of control systems) supported by digital Engineering processes (PLM systems). MBSE models are becoming important tools for visual simulation, and they are widely used for visualization and communication, both within the project and increasingly (in simplified forms) with external participants and the interested general public.

DESY is currently exploring MBSE models in projects and developing methods for the integrated design of mechatronic systems together with their supply infrastructures and their (software) control and monitoring systems. The HAW Hamburg has been active in systems engineering research and teaching for many years and offers MBSE student lectures and projects in the context of aerospace industries.

With this project, the current MBSE activities of HAW Hamburg and DESY are to be connected and jointly developed further. In the still young discipline MBSE, many of the currently available case studies are based on small and medium-sized systems. DESY's large-scale scientific projects offer an opportunity to create and demonstrate engineering methods with practical impact for large complex systems and to publish and communicate them visibly in research, teaching and industry, potentially positioning HAW Hamburg and DESY together as strong centers in modern systems engineering.