Chapter 3: Block Definition Diagrams Flashcards
What is the most common kind of SysML diagram
Block Definition Diagram
What is: Elements of Definition
Elements that appear on BDD’s - blocks, actors, value types, constraint blocks, flow specifications, and interfaces.
Form the foundation for everything else in your system model
T/F: BDD’s should be created often
T, BDDs are not tied to any particular stage of the system life cycle or level of design.
What is: the diagram kind abbreviation for a block definition diagram
bdd
What is: Namespace
Is simply a model element that’s allowed to contain other model elements; that is, it can have other elements nested under it within the model hierarchy.
Is a concept that have meaning only within your system model; it has no meaning within an instance of your system
What is: the most common kind of namespace that appear on BDDs
A Package
What is: Block
The basic unit of structure in SysML
Can be used to model any type of entity within your system of interest or in the system’s external environment
What are: The two varieties of Features
Structural Features (aka Properties)
Behavioral Features
What are: The five kinds of Structural Features (aka Properties)
Five Kinds:
Part Properties
Reference Properties
Value Properties
Constraint Properties
Ports
What is: Part Property
A Feature that represents a structure that’s internal to a block.
Stated differently, a block is composed of these. This relationship conveys ownership.
What is: the format of the string for a part property
‘part name’ is Modeler defined
‘type’ generally is the name of a block that you’ve created somewhere in the system model
What is: Multiplicity
A constraint on the number of instances that feature can represent within the composite, expressed as either a single integer or as a range of integers
What is: Multiplicity with no constraints
0..* OR *
- = no upper bound
would read as ‘zero or more’
What is: Reference Property
Feature that represents a structure that’s external to a block
Does not convey ownership
Can roughly be described as a ‘needs’ relationship, a block with this feature needs that external structure for some purpose, either to provide a service or to exchange matter, energy, or data. This implies that some type of connection must exist between them.
What is: the format of the string for a reference property
‘reference name’ is modeler defined
‘type’ must be the name of a block or actor that you’ve created somewhere in the system model
What is: the reference property name contained in the Electrical Power Subsystem block
cdhs
What is: Value Property
A feature that can represent a quantity (of some type), a Boolean, or a string.
Most often, though, this feature is something you can assign a number to.
This feature is particularly useful in conjunction with constraint properties to construct a mathematical model of your system
What is: the format of the string for a value property
‘value name’ is modeler defined
‘type’ must be the name of a value type that you’ve created somewhere in the system model
‘default value’ is an optional piece of information; it represents the value assigned to the value property when an instance of its owning block first gets created
How: to convey that a value property is derived
put a forward slash (/) in front of its name.
What is: Constraint Property
A Feature that generally represents a mathematical relationship (an equation or inequality) that is imposed on a set of value properties.
What is: the format of the string for a constraint property
‘constraint name’ is modeler defined
‘type’ must be the name of a constraint block that you’ve created somewhere in the system model
Note that you’re not required to use constraint blocks to impose mathematical relationships on value properties. It’s perfectly legal to specify a constraint expression directly in the constraints compartment of a block.
What is: Constraint Block
This is simply a special kind of block—one that you create to encapsulate a reusable constraint expression.
Most often, a constraint expression is an equation or an inequality.
What is: Port
A feature that represents a distinct interaction point at the boundary of a structure through which external entities can interact with that structure—either to provide or request a service or to exchange matter, energy, or data.
T/F: A port decouples a block’s clients from any particular internal implementation
T, When you add a port to a block, you’re modeling a structure as a black box with respect to its environment; the structure’s internal implementation is hidden from its clients. Those clients know only the structure’s interface (the services it provides and requires, and the types of matter, energy, or data that can flow in and out).
What are: the two kinds of ports
Standard Ports
Flow Ports
What is: Standard Port
A port that lets you specify an interaction point with a focus on the services that a block provides or requires.
Models the services (behaviors) that a block provides or requires at an interaction point on its boundary.
Most often, you display this port as a small square straddling the border of a block.
What is: Flow Port
A port that lets you specify an interaction point with a focus on the types of matter, energy, or data that can flow in and out of a block.
Most often, you display this port as a small square straddling the border of a block. This port has a symbol shown inside the small square.