Architecture and interfaces

Question 1

What is a system architecture

Answer 1

A conceptual model offering a formalised description of the system

Question 2

What are the 6 stages of thje system architecture pyramid from the top down

Answer 2

PHFECE

Physical (design solution)
Hardware (components interacting with system)
Functional (how subsystems interact)
Essential (concepts and interfaces)
Concept (major systems)
Environmental/operational (First idea)

Question 3

What is the difference between functional and physical architecture (in terms of what it would be on a tree diagram)

Answer 3

Functional architecture shows the components of a system in terms of what the system needs to do and have to work
Physical/design architecture is the physical porporeties that make that system what it is

Question 4

What architecture diagrams/frameworks can you have

Answer 4

Tree diagram (functional and physical)
System architecture pyramid
Architectural framework/structure (serial, parallel, tree, star, bus, decentrenalised)
Block diagram
System schematic

Question 5

what do architecture frameworks do

Answer 5

Structure and organise architectural descriptions in a formalised manner

Question 6

What is an interface

Answer 6

A boundary presented by a system for interaction with other entities

Question 7

Why do interfaces need to be managed

Answer 7

Systems may be built seperately so need to by assembled together
Allows mid-life updates
Can help spot undetected errors which cna cause extra costs and failures

Question 8

What is the interface design process

Answer 8

Requirements definition
Top level design
Detailed desing
Test Design

Question 9

How can you manage interfaces

Answer 9

Interface control documents
Design strucutre matrix

or

definition/requirements
design
tracking
testing

Question 10

What are the interface control documents (ICD)

Answer 10

Interface definition document (stakeholder says how interfaces should be used and implemented)
Interface requriements document (defines all the requirements and constraints at an interface, both for the physical and the information crossing it and needs to be agreed by all relevant stakeholders)
Interface control document (design solution, describes all connections)

Question 11

What are the 2 types of DSM

Answer 11

Connectivity matrix (single flow, symmetrical)
(regular) DSM (shows flow direction)

Question 12

What does the V&V V-model look like

Answer 12

A risk reduction process to discover defects

CRADUITA
(System definiton)
Conops
Requirements
Architecture
Design
(Implemetnation)
(Testing & intergration)
Unit testing
Systems intergration
Systems Testing
Acceptance testing

(time going left to right, Validation and verification going right to left)

Question 13

What si the V&V model used for

Answer 13

to test the system against the requirements

Question 14

What is an autonomous system

Answer 14

A system that can act without recourse to human control

Question 15

What are the 6 levels of autonomy

Answer 15

No autonomation
Low automation
Partial autonomation
Conditional automantion
HIgh automation
Full automation

Question 16

What does Poka-Yoke mean and explain the context

Answer 16

Avoiding the blunder

Design a system to avoid miss-assembly or mistakes

Question 17

How do autonomous systems read the environment and how do thye change the manage them

Answer 17

Using sensors and effectors

Question 18

What is systems health management

Answer 18

concerns the system understanding its own internal state. The quantity of consumables and the state of it’s subsystems

Question 19

What is a diagnostic

Answer 19

Determing what has casued a fault

Question 20

What is a prognostic

Answer 20

Prediciting which subsytems may fail and when

Question 21

What should a test plan consist of

Answer 21

Comprehensive test list for each interface
Pre-conditions for each test
success critera against requirements
Consideration of interface characteristics, system constraints and the environment
schedule
task list