System architecture analysis and selection under uncertainty

A system architecture analysis and selection methodology is presented that builds on the Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization framework. It addresses a need and opportunity to extend the MAO techniques to include a means to analyze not only within the technical domain, but also include the ability to evaluate external influences that will act on the system once it is in operation. The nature and extent of these external influences is uncertain and increasingly uncertain for systems with long development timelines and methods for addressing such uncertainty are central to the thesis. The research presented in this document has culminated in a coherent system architecture analysis and selection process addressing this need that consists of several steps: 1. The introduction of the concept of Fuzzy Pareto Optimality. Under uncertainty, one must necessarily consider more than just Pareto Optimal solutions to avoid the unintentional exclusion of viable and possibly even desirable designs. 2. The introduction of a proximity based filtering technique that explicitly links the design and solution spaces. The intent here is preserve diverse designs, even if their resulting performance is similar. 3. Introduction of the concept of Technology Invasiveness through the use of a component Delta Design Structure Matrix (ADSM). The component DSM is used to evaluate the changes in the DSM due to the technology insertion. Based on the quantity and type of these changes a Technology Invasiveness metric is computed. 4. Through the use of utility curves, the technical domain analysis is linked to an analysis of external influence factors.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Smaling, Rudolf M

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Olivier L. de Weck.

• Engineering Systems Division.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/28943
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/28943

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/28943