ABSTRACT The most critical requirements for the lifetime value of a system are its nonfunctional ... more ABSTRACT The most critical requirements for the lifetime value of a system are its nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) such as reliability, security, maintainability, changeability, etc. These are collectively known as the “ilities,” and they are typically not addressed in system design until the functional architecture has been completed. In this paper, we propose the use of quality-based design that modifies this standard process so that those NFRs, which actually reflect the true business needs, are addressed first. This is accomplished through a combination of quality attribute workshops, to elicit and refine quality-based mission objectives, and attribute-driven design, where design heuristics, termed tactics, can be employed in the decomposition of the system. This ensures that the final system better reflects and embodies those architecturally significant requirements rather than having them addressed secondarily. This is an important change since the “ilities” are systemic properties (properties of the system as a whole) rather than properties of individual components or subsystems. Consequently, they are difficult to address in an architecture that has already been decomposed with respect to required functionality. To illustrate the proposed approach, we provide an example based upon the Department of Defense Pre-positioned Expeditionary Assistance Kit.
ABSTRACT Lack of collaboration between individual systems and system of systems (SoS) program man... more ABSTRACT Lack of collaboration between individual systems and system of systems (SoS) program management is identified as one of the leading problems in SoS acquisition. This is especially a major concern in acknowledged SoS where a designated SoS program management has no authority over the constituent systems. Therefore, it is important to consider mechanisms to persuade individual systems to participate in the SoS development. In SoS where individual systems have their own self-interests, negotiation becomes an important mechanism to increase participation in SoS development. Another mechanism, incentives, is used in a wide range of applications to improve performance and collaboration. In this paper, an incentive based negotiation model is outlined as a mechanism to increase participation of individual systems into the SoS development. The negotiation model is integrated into an SoS Engineering and Architecting multilevel model referred to as Flexible & Intelligent Learning Architectures for SoS (FILA-SoS). Various aspects of SoS acquisition are modeled in the FILA-SoS including SoS meta-architecture generation, evaluation as well as negotiation between SoS and individual systems. Individual systems exhibit behaviors, ranging from selfish to cooperative. The negotiation model is demonstrated on an SoS engineering application: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) SoS acquisition case where a desired meta-architecture is selected for negotiation, and incentives are determined for systems based on deviation from the desired meta-architecture quality. The analyses of the results from this application domain provide insights into how incentives can be used by decision makers to increase participation in SoS engineering and development.
The dynamic planning for a system-of-systems is a challenging endeavor. Department of Defense (Do... more The dynamic planning for a system-of-systems is a challenging endeavor. Department of Defense (DoD) programs constantly face challenges to incorporate new systems and upgrade existing systems over a period of time under threats, constrained budget, and uncertainty. It is therefore necessary for the DoD to be able to look at the future scenarios and critically assess the impact of technology and stakeholder changes. The DoD currently is looking for options that signify affordable acquisition selections and lessen the cycle time for early acquisition and new technology addition. This paper gives an overview of a novel methodology known as the Flexible Intelligent & Learning Architectures in System-of-Systems (FILA-SoS). This approach allows for analyzing sequential decisions in evolving SoS architectures. An ISR SoS example illustrates an application of the method.
Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering, 2015
ABSTRACT In technology-intensive markets, it is a common strategy for companies to develop long-t... more ABSTRACT In technology-intensive markets, it is a common strategy for companies to develop long-term multiple generation product lines instead of releasing consecutive single products. Even though this strategy is more profitable than sequentially introducing single product generations, it can also result in inter-product line cannibalization. Cannibalization of multiple-generation product lines is a complex problem that needs to be taken into account at the early product line planning stage in order to sustain long-term profitability. In this paper, we propose an agent-based model that can simulate the potential cannibalization scenarios within a multiple-generation product line. We view a multiple-generation product line (MGPL) as complex adaptive system where each product generation in the MGPL adjusts its sales price over time based on the shifts in the market demand. The proposed model provides insights into how various pricing strategies impact the overall lifecycle profitability of MGPL and can be used to assist companies in developing appropriate dynamic pricing strategies at the early product line planning stages.
The SoS has some funding and deadlines which can be used to negotiate with the individual System ... more The SoS has some funding and deadlines which can be used to negotiate with the individual System in order to illicit the required capability from that System. The Fuzzy Decision Analysis determines how the SoS agent will adjust the funding and deadlines for each of the Systems in order to achieve the desired SoS architecture quality. The Fuzzy Decision Analysis has inputs of performance, funding, and deadlines as well as weights for each capability. The performance, funding, and deadlines are crisp values which are fuzzified. The fuzzified values are then used with a Fuzzy Inference Engine to get the fuzzy outputs of funding adjustment and deadline adjustment which must then be defuzzified before being passed to the System agent.
2012 7th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering (SoSE), 2012
System of systems (SoS) acquisition is a dynamic process of integrating independent systems. This... more System of systems (SoS) acquisition is a dynamic process of integrating independent systems. This paper describes modeling of the SoS acquisition environment based on the Wave Process Model. Agentbased modeling methodology is utilized to abstract behavioral aspects of the acquisition process.
... For this purpose, UML and SysML are utilized to capture the system state models, user ... Mey... more ... For this purpose, UML and SysML are utilized to capture the system state models, user ... Meyyappan (2006) presents a self-adaptive, swarm-based control model for real-time part routing in ... The control model is a multiagent system that exhibits adaptive behavior, which has been ...
In today's market, companies tend to develop long-term multiple-generation product strategies ins... more In today's market, companies tend to develop long-term multiple-generation product strategies instead of releasing consecutive single products to maintain market competitiveness. Even though this strategy affords market vitality, it also can bring about inter-product-line cannibalization. Cannibalization within a multiple-generation product line is a complex problem, and it has seldom been explored. It indeed is a critical subject that companies need to take into account at the product line planning stage in order to ensure their long-term profitability. In this study, we view a multiple-generation product line as a complex adaptive system, and propose a new model that can simulate the potential cannibalization scenarios within a multiple-generation product line. The model concentrates on the price variations over time for every single generation of product in a multiple-generation product line and is built upon an agent-based-methodology. Every product generation in the product line is regarded as an independent agent, and is authorized to adjust its sales price according to the shifts in the market demand. The proposed model can assist companies in developing appropriate dynamic pricing strategies at the early product line planning stages.
A method is proposed for evaluating a range of System of Systems (SoS) meta-architecture alternat... more A method is proposed for evaluating a range of System of Systems (SoS) meta-architecture alternatives. SoS are composed through combination of existing, fully functioning Systems, possibly with minor functional changes, but certainly by using the combined Systems to achieve a new capability, not available from the Systems alone. The meta-architecture describes how all possible subsets of Systems can be combined to create an SoS. The fitness of a realizable SoS architecture may be characterized by terms such as unacceptable, marginal, above average, or excellent. While these terms provide little information about the SoS when used alone and informally, they readily fit into fuzzy membership sets that overlap at their boundaries. More descriptive , particular suite of missions, and affordability, themselves readily to fuzzy evaluation as well. An approach to defining the fuzzy concepts and establishing rule sets to provide an overall SoS evaluation for many sets of participating individual Systems represented by the meta-architecture is discussed. An application of the method is discussed within the framework of developing and evaluating a hypothetical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) SoS capability.
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) follows a model centric approach in contrast to the tradit... more Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) follows a model centric approach in contrast to the traditional document centric approach. The complexity of SoS development lends itself nicely to a model centric approach, especially a model that can represent the independence of the systems that comprise the SoS. An agent-based model provides a framework where the SoS and each system are independent entities with individual dynamics and interactions. The System of Systems (SoS) development depends on contributions from the individual systems each having their own agenda and priorities. System-to-system interactions are often necessary to accomplish the overall objectives and capabilities of the SoS. This research investigates the SoS development of an Acknowledged SoS with its associated individual systems and represents this development in an Agent-Based Model (ABM). The ABM includes decision models for the individual system agents that capture system dynamics and system-tosystem negotiations as well as system to SoS negotiations. The ABM incorporates the key factors that influence SoS and individual sys
In this paper, an Artificial Life based framework for modelling System of Systems is presented. T... more In this paper, an Artificial Life based framework for modelling System of Systems is presented. The framework comprises cognitive architectures embedded in multiagent models. Financial markets are selected as an analysis domain to demonstrate the framework. From the Artificial Life framework, a traderbased architect ure is formulated as a model to analyze system level behaviour. Sloman's HCogaff cognitive archit ecture
ABSTRACT This study focuses on various trader behaviors that affect market dynamics. In particula... more ABSTRACT This study focuses on various trader behaviors that affect market dynamics. In particular, the effects of a covering mechanism, learning mechanism and bias mechanism are analyzed through agent-based financial market model. An XCS classifier system is used to model trader learning mechanism. A trader model is proposed to formulate a trader decision model that combines bias mechanisms with learning mechanisms. The results reveal that biased traders survive under evolving markets and affect price dynamics. The model contributes to understanding the market behavior and potential sources of deviation from efficient market equilibrium.
ABSTRACT The most critical requirements for the lifetime value of a system are its nonfunctional ... more ABSTRACT The most critical requirements for the lifetime value of a system are its nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) such as reliability, security, maintainability, changeability, etc. These are collectively known as the “ilities,” and they are typically not addressed in system design until the functional architecture has been completed. In this paper, we propose the use of quality-based design that modifies this standard process so that those NFRs, which actually reflect the true business needs, are addressed first. This is accomplished through a combination of quality attribute workshops, to elicit and refine quality-based mission objectives, and attribute-driven design, where design heuristics, termed tactics, can be employed in the decomposition of the system. This ensures that the final system better reflects and embodies those architecturally significant requirements rather than having them addressed secondarily. This is an important change since the “ilities” are systemic properties (properties of the system as a whole) rather than properties of individual components or subsystems. Consequently, they are difficult to address in an architecture that has already been decomposed with respect to required functionality. To illustrate the proposed approach, we provide an example based upon the Department of Defense Pre-positioned Expeditionary Assistance Kit.
ABSTRACT Lack of collaboration between individual systems and system of systems (SoS) program man... more ABSTRACT Lack of collaboration between individual systems and system of systems (SoS) program management is identified as one of the leading problems in SoS acquisition. This is especially a major concern in acknowledged SoS where a designated SoS program management has no authority over the constituent systems. Therefore, it is important to consider mechanisms to persuade individual systems to participate in the SoS development. In SoS where individual systems have their own self-interests, negotiation becomes an important mechanism to increase participation in SoS development. Another mechanism, incentives, is used in a wide range of applications to improve performance and collaboration. In this paper, an incentive based negotiation model is outlined as a mechanism to increase participation of individual systems into the SoS development. The negotiation model is integrated into an SoS Engineering and Architecting multilevel model referred to as Flexible & Intelligent Learning Architectures for SoS (FILA-SoS). Various aspects of SoS acquisition are modeled in the FILA-SoS including SoS meta-architecture generation, evaluation as well as negotiation between SoS and individual systems. Individual systems exhibit behaviors, ranging from selfish to cooperative. The negotiation model is demonstrated on an SoS engineering application: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) SoS acquisition case where a desired meta-architecture is selected for negotiation, and incentives are determined for systems based on deviation from the desired meta-architecture quality. The analyses of the results from this application domain provide insights into how incentives can be used by decision makers to increase participation in SoS engineering and development.
The dynamic planning for a system-of-systems is a challenging endeavor. Department of Defense (Do... more The dynamic planning for a system-of-systems is a challenging endeavor. Department of Defense (DoD) programs constantly face challenges to incorporate new systems and upgrade existing systems over a period of time under threats, constrained budget, and uncertainty. It is therefore necessary for the DoD to be able to look at the future scenarios and critically assess the impact of technology and stakeholder changes. The DoD currently is looking for options that signify affordable acquisition selections and lessen the cycle time for early acquisition and new technology addition. This paper gives an overview of a novel methodology known as the Flexible Intelligent & Learning Architectures in System-of-Systems (FILA-SoS). This approach allows for analyzing sequential decisions in evolving SoS architectures. An ISR SoS example illustrates an application of the method.
Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering, 2015
ABSTRACT In technology-intensive markets, it is a common strategy for companies to develop long-t... more ABSTRACT In technology-intensive markets, it is a common strategy for companies to develop long-term multiple generation product lines instead of releasing consecutive single products. Even though this strategy is more profitable than sequentially introducing single product generations, it can also result in inter-product line cannibalization. Cannibalization of multiple-generation product lines is a complex problem that needs to be taken into account at the early product line planning stage in order to sustain long-term profitability. In this paper, we propose an agent-based model that can simulate the potential cannibalization scenarios within a multiple-generation product line. We view a multiple-generation product line (MGPL) as complex adaptive system where each product generation in the MGPL adjusts its sales price over time based on the shifts in the market demand. The proposed model provides insights into how various pricing strategies impact the overall lifecycle profitability of MGPL and can be used to assist companies in developing appropriate dynamic pricing strategies at the early product line planning stages.
The SoS has some funding and deadlines which can be used to negotiate with the individual System ... more The SoS has some funding and deadlines which can be used to negotiate with the individual System in order to illicit the required capability from that System. The Fuzzy Decision Analysis determines how the SoS agent will adjust the funding and deadlines for each of the Systems in order to achieve the desired SoS architecture quality. The Fuzzy Decision Analysis has inputs of performance, funding, and deadlines as well as weights for each capability. The performance, funding, and deadlines are crisp values which are fuzzified. The fuzzified values are then used with a Fuzzy Inference Engine to get the fuzzy outputs of funding adjustment and deadline adjustment which must then be defuzzified before being passed to the System agent.
2012 7th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering (SoSE), 2012
System of systems (SoS) acquisition is a dynamic process of integrating independent systems. This... more System of systems (SoS) acquisition is a dynamic process of integrating independent systems. This paper describes modeling of the SoS acquisition environment based on the Wave Process Model. Agentbased modeling methodology is utilized to abstract behavioral aspects of the acquisition process.
... For this purpose, UML and SysML are utilized to capture the system state models, user ... Mey... more ... For this purpose, UML and SysML are utilized to capture the system state models, user ... Meyyappan (2006) presents a self-adaptive, swarm-based control model for real-time part routing in ... The control model is a multiagent system that exhibits adaptive behavior, which has been ...
In today's market, companies tend to develop long-term multiple-generation product strategies ins... more In today's market, companies tend to develop long-term multiple-generation product strategies instead of releasing consecutive single products to maintain market competitiveness. Even though this strategy affords market vitality, it also can bring about inter-product-line cannibalization. Cannibalization within a multiple-generation product line is a complex problem, and it has seldom been explored. It indeed is a critical subject that companies need to take into account at the product line planning stage in order to ensure their long-term profitability. In this study, we view a multiple-generation product line as a complex adaptive system, and propose a new model that can simulate the potential cannibalization scenarios within a multiple-generation product line. The model concentrates on the price variations over time for every single generation of product in a multiple-generation product line and is built upon an agent-based-methodology. Every product generation in the product line is regarded as an independent agent, and is authorized to adjust its sales price according to the shifts in the market demand. The proposed model can assist companies in developing appropriate dynamic pricing strategies at the early product line planning stages.
A method is proposed for evaluating a range of System of Systems (SoS) meta-architecture alternat... more A method is proposed for evaluating a range of System of Systems (SoS) meta-architecture alternatives. SoS are composed through combination of existing, fully functioning Systems, possibly with minor functional changes, but certainly by using the combined Systems to achieve a new capability, not available from the Systems alone. The meta-architecture describes how all possible subsets of Systems can be combined to create an SoS. The fitness of a realizable SoS architecture may be characterized by terms such as unacceptable, marginal, above average, or excellent. While these terms provide little information about the SoS when used alone and informally, they readily fit into fuzzy membership sets that overlap at their boundaries. More descriptive , particular suite of missions, and affordability, themselves readily to fuzzy evaluation as well. An approach to defining the fuzzy concepts and establishing rule sets to provide an overall SoS evaluation for many sets of participating individual Systems represented by the meta-architecture is discussed. An application of the method is discussed within the framework of developing and evaluating a hypothetical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) SoS capability.
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) follows a model centric approach in contrast to the tradit... more Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) follows a model centric approach in contrast to the traditional document centric approach. The complexity of SoS development lends itself nicely to a model centric approach, especially a model that can represent the independence of the systems that comprise the SoS. An agent-based model provides a framework where the SoS and each system are independent entities with individual dynamics and interactions. The System of Systems (SoS) development depends on contributions from the individual systems each having their own agenda and priorities. System-to-system interactions are often necessary to accomplish the overall objectives and capabilities of the SoS. This research investigates the SoS development of an Acknowledged SoS with its associated individual systems and represents this development in an Agent-Based Model (ABM). The ABM includes decision models for the individual system agents that capture system dynamics and system-tosystem negotiations as well as system to SoS negotiations. The ABM incorporates the key factors that influence SoS and individual sys
In this paper, an Artificial Life based framework for modelling System of Systems is presented. T... more In this paper, an Artificial Life based framework for modelling System of Systems is presented. The framework comprises cognitive architectures embedded in multiagent models. Financial markets are selected as an analysis domain to demonstrate the framework. From the Artificial Life framework, a traderbased architect ure is formulated as a model to analyze system level behaviour. Sloman's HCogaff cognitive archit ecture
ABSTRACT This study focuses on various trader behaviors that affect market dynamics. In particula... more ABSTRACT This study focuses on various trader behaviors that affect market dynamics. In particular, the effects of a covering mechanism, learning mechanism and bias mechanism are analyzed through agent-based financial market model. An XCS classifier system is used to model trader learning mechanism. A trader model is proposed to formulate a trader decision model that combines bias mechanisms with learning mechanisms. The results reveal that biased traders survive under evolving markets and affect price dynamics. The model contributes to understanding the market behavior and potential sources of deviation from efficient market equilibrium.
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Papers by Nil Ergin