Conceptual framework approach for system-of-systems software developments

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Authors
Caffall, Dale Scott
Subjects
System-of-Systems
Software Complexity
Domain Analysis
Software Architecture
Advisors
Michael, James Bret
Shing, Man-Tak
Date of Issue
2003-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Department of Defense looks increasingly towards an interoperable and integrated system-of-systems to provide required military capability. Non-essential software complexity of a system-of-systems can have a greater negative impact in system behavior than a single system. Our current systems-of-systems tend to require a great deal of software maintenance and to be intolerant of even the most minor of changes with respect to negative perturbations in system behavior. In this thesis, we explore the benefits of developing a conceptual framework as the basis for the system-of-systems development. We examine the application of accepted software engineering practices for single-system developments to the more complex problem of system-of-systems development. Using the Ballistic Missile Defense System as a case study, we present an abstract framework from which we can reason about the system-of-systems. We develop a conceptual software architecture that represents a logical organization of proposed software modules. We map the functionality of the system to conceptual software components with coordination and data exchanges handled by conceptual connectors. Finally, we assess our work to determine the feasibility of applying the conceptual framework techniques described in this thesis to system-of-systems acquisitions with the objective of reducing accidental complexity and controlling essential complexity.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Computer Science
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xii, 85 p. : ill. (some col.) ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
Collections