PARADIGMshift – Pragmatic Method for Conceptual Systems Design
The method enables an early feasibility evaluation of different design solutions. It consists of 3 phases: The Problem Analysis identifies the required system functions and stores them in a model together with formal constraints. The Solution Synthesis models architectures and parameter values which satisfy all system functions and formal constraints. The Trade-Off phase compares the solution candidates and ranks them according to criteria previously defined in the Problem Analysis. The most promising solutions are selected for being further detailed and optimized in the next stage, the Preliminary Design.
For further details, see our paper: PARADIGMshift: A Method for Feasibility Studies of New Systems
PREMISE – Integrated Data Model
PREMISE (Pragmatic Engineering Model for Integrated Systems Engineering) is an integrated data model developed for being used as a central data and knowledge store for different engineering disciplines. PREMISE allows a formal but pragmatic description of systems and supports tool data exchange within multidisciplinary design teams. The corresponding PREMISE file format is open (text-based, XML/XMI), modular, scalable, application-independent, and simple (few data types).
PARADISE – Systems Design Tool
To support the general predesign process in the way that it can be performed for multiple solution proposals in a few days, DLR developed a tool named “Parametric Architecture Designer for Integrated Systems Engineering”, short: PARADISE. It provides an efficient and intuitive modeling environment and it is abstract enough to be able to represent a wide range of technical systems. In detail, it supports:
The user interface of PARADISE is divided into three parts as shown in the following Figure. On the left side, there is a Navigator view displaying projects, folders, and model files. In the upper right part, there is the Model Editor depicted displaying the contents of the currently opened model files in a tree-like structure. The bottom right of the figure shows the Properties view which allows the modification of any property and value related to the currently selected model component. The model files are stored in the open PREMISE format developed by DLR, export modules for further formats like Excel or MATLAB are integrated.
For further details, see our paper: PARADISE for pre-designing aircraft and systems
Flight simulation engineering and flight simulator components
Testing and validation of designs, either of a new aeroplane concept or just a system component, is supported by our EFCS-Rig (Electronic Flight Control System). The environment comprises an engineering cockpit (currently A320 based simulation environment) and an affiliated 3 circuit hydraulic system. Both parts can be combined, getting hardware in the loop environment to test flight control actuators or smaller system components.
Many software parts and tools are built in-house. This will allow an engineer to adjust needed functionality easily.
Beside the general simulation software like data dispatcher, IOS, etc., many A320 components replicating the A320 avionics exists. Modifying flight displays, Flight Management Software, Flight Warning Computer logics or creating new ECAM-Pages becomes an easy task.