Using Architecture Tools to Reduce the Risk in SoS Integration

Abstract

DoD acquisition is evolving from the traditional approach focused on individual systems to system-of-systems (SoS) integration. In DoD terminology, SoS is a collection of systems integrated together to obtain a higher level system that offers more than the sum of its parts, though the individual systems are acquired independently. System interactions within the SoS typically produce emergent capabilities that may or may not be desired. Any undesired behavior represents an integration risk and must be recognized, analyzed, and understood. Architectural tools are evolving to provide this understanding. These tools can be used for analyses of SoS designs to predict unexpected couplings and to avoid the potential for missed, underutilized or duplicated functionalities. Architectural artifacts developed with these tools expose potential issues to the design community. In addition, these artifacts provide a foundation for integration test planning by identifying and documenting the interfaces between hardware, software and humans that constitute the SoS. This presentation describes the related concepts and processes.