Exploring the application of system architecting and system-of-systems (SOS) approach in largescale complex airport development

• Main Author: Ong, Chee Kiong.
• Other Authors: Yeo Khim Teck
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Systems engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16144
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

System of Systems (SoS) and complexity are affecting Systems Engineering; new methods are appearing and old methods are used in new ways. Taking a SoS perspective of large-scale infrastructural development will simplify a complex engineering system to organize emergent complexity. In this project, a review of SoS literature is carried out as it is necessary to create a SoSE management framework based on demands of constant technological progress in the complex dynamic environment. After careful analysis of the history and the evolution of SoS, several authors identified SoS as a network and suggested to use distinguishing characteristics and discriminators to govern various management processes within SoS. Complex infrastructural systems are non monolithic and they share certain common characteristics. Therefore, this enables system integrators and architects to develop a framework for SoS engineering management based on SoS discriminators to address issues in architecture, collaboration, and integration. The case study of Changi airport systems will be explored to examine the phenomena of the observed SoS discriminators and characteristics. In a network of component systems, the characteristics of SoS will increase and grow stronger as it shifts to the higher levels of the hierarchy. After identifying the characteristics of SoS, it is necessary to take a SoS consideration in alpha-level subsystem design. This is the base level of the hierarchy that will contribute to the next higher level systems. The SoS-lexicon matrix is selected to measure carefully any emergent characteristics. The next step is to take a case analysis of Changi airport Baggage handling system, to illustrate how the lexicon matrix could be applied in the SoS environment.