Complex systems are becoming increasingly common in today’s world. A system of systems (SoS) is a type of complex system made up of multiple interconnected systems. These interconnected systems can be large or small, simple or complex, and come from different domains.
Industry IoT Consortium® (IIC®) has just released an extensive white paper, System of Systems Models Enabling Interoperability for Value Creation. It discusses the challenges of interoperability in complex systems. The document introduces a framework of SoS models and other concepts to address these challenges. Some of the important points from this document are that SoS should be more interconnected to create value and that there is a need for open standards. The content dives into SoS and the challenges they face, detailing ways to address these challenges. It makes some important points, such as that SoS are complex systems composed of multiple interconnected systems. Digital twins are a type of SoS, and interoperability is key to successful SoS.
Let’s break this down further. Imagine a car as a system. A car is made up of many smaller systems, such as the engine, the brakes, and the electrical system. Each of these smaller systems works together to make the car function as a whole. Now imagine a fleet of cars. This fleet of cars can be considered an SoS. The individual cars are the smaller systems, and the fleet as a whole is the larger system.
SoS can be found in many different industries, including healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. They can create value in various ways, such as improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing safety.
However, SOS also faces a number of challenges. SOS can be very complex, making it difficult to design, develop, and manage. Another challenge is that SOS often requires a high degree of interoperability. Interoperability is the ability of different systems to communicate and exchange data with each other. Without interoperability, SOS will not be able to function effectively.
Some of the ways to address these challenges include using digital twins, developing standards for interoperability, and using model-based systems engineering.
Digital twins are virtual representations of physical systems. They can be used to simulate the behavior of SoS and to identify potential problems. Standards for interoperability can help to ensure that different systems can communicate and exchange data with each other. Model-based systems engineering is a process that can be used to design, develop, and manage SoS.
By understanding the challenges and opportunities of SoS, we can create systems that are more efficient, effective, and safe.
