Abstract

The purpose of Systems Engineering is to analyse, design, optimize, operate, and evolve complex Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). This often happens collaboratively and by following complicated workflows. In order to deal with the increasing complexity of CPSs, the domain of Modelling and Simulation allows for system engineers to focus on their specific domain knowledge.​​

Digital Twins (DTs) are simulation models running continually in parallel with a real-world System under Study (SuS) while being fed the same input stimuli as that SuS. They can be used to analyse, optimize and adapt CPSs. Throughout the (currently quite ad-hoc) creation of such Twinning Systems, a plethora of choices impacts the functionality and performance of the realized system, comprised of the actual SuS and its model. This work identifies four stages at which this variability may appear:

(A) Properties of Interest in the Problem Space:

An initial choice of the exact goal(s) and purpose(s) for the Twinning System highly impacts the end product.

(B) (Conceptual) Architecture and Design:

When a choice is made in terms of goal(s), it is important to identify the individual system components required to (functionally) ensure the valid behaviour of the Twinning System. Furthermore, these may need to be combined/federated at a higher, conceptual level.

(C) Modelling & Simulation:

Selecting the exact modelling languages and creating the models of the SuS.

(D) Deployment:

Individual tools and frameworks need to be selected, as well as the middleware, the communication protocols etc. It may be required to do an external analysis of the potential deployment solutions. Choices made in one stage influence the solutions and subsequent possible choices (or configurations) in the subsequent stage.​

To show these stages and their impact, four distinct proof-of-concepts have been created: (1) a simple LEGO Line Following Robot; (2) a pathfinding TurtleBot; (3) the macro-level movement of ships in the Port of Antwerp; and (4) the simple kinematic movement of a 1D vessel.

Teaser Figure

Links

Thesis Report

The thesis report can be downloaded here.

Presentation from Private Defense

The presentation is located here.

Presentation from Public Defense

The presentation can be found here.

Public Defense Recording

The recording from the Public Defense can be found here, or below: