Describing interfaces

Whenever such interactions have been defined, then there is also the potential to identify interfaces between these model elements. Controlling interfaces is a crucial part of systems engineering as it allows the control of interactions between different model elements. MBSE allows interfaces to be identified, defined, and managed using an established set of modeling views. This section will describe a set of views that allow any interface to be modeled.

Identifying interfaces

For the sake of this discussion, the relationship between the three lowest levels of the system hierarchy will be focused on, as shown in the following diagram:

Figure 3.7 – Identifying generic interfaces between system elements

The diagram in Figure 3.7 shows the concept of interfaces that exist between system elements, using a SysML block definition diagram. From a modeling point of view, note how a generalization relationship has been introduced to...