Determining Parameter Objectives via Model-Based Engineering

The concept development of any system includes the definition of various parameters of interest and determination of the threshold (satisfactory) and goal (desired) value for each. These are classically organized into Measures of Effectiveness, Measures of Performance, and lower-level Technical Performance Measures. These form the basis of performance requirements, the means for evaluating design, and the measure by which systems are validated. They define the trade space within which to optimize the emerging solution. This is challenging in routine development and substantially complicated when the system of interest aims for unprecedented capabilities from emerging technologies, which is the situation for electric ship research. This paper presents a method for defining parameters and objectives which is being developed and used in the U.S. Department of Navy sponsored Power Electronic Power Distribution System (PEPDS) research initiative. The method then integrates the Model-Based Systems Engineering system model with genetic algorithm trade space exploration tools.