Digital Engineering Visualization Technologies and Techniques
Abstract
This chapter discusses how dynamic data visualization is an integral part of Digital Engineering (DE) and can transform the interactions between stakeholders and engineers. SERC research has demonstrated how to computationally enable the visualization of digital threads for system analyses and design changes to help visualize how those changes flow to mission-level capabilities and related mission performance measures. These visualizations include various types of dynamic dashboards that communicate design trade-offs, allowing decision-makers to better understand their options, and can help elicit requirements from end users, and validate the underlying simulations. The semantic DE environment is a useful way to manage these changes and can provide a backend for decision support dashboards and digital thread impact analyses. Another enabling technology for DE visualization is gaming engines, which provide an immersive environment for mission visualization. Simulation using gaming engines represent graphical concepts of operation (CONOPs), which provides another form of impact analysis by showing how systems react to design changes and can help in eliciting mission and system objectives and requirements from end users. When based on rigorous engineering models, these graphical CONOPs can help validate or calibrate simulation results and support digital engineering methods such as mission- and system-level optimization.
Leads
Brian Chell
Stevens Institute of Technology
Tom Hagedorn
Stevens Institute of Technology
Roger Jones
Stevens Institute of Technology
Mark R. Blackburn
Stevens Institute of Technology
Publications
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Chell, B.W., Hoffenson, S. and Blackburn, M.R. (2019). A Comparison of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Architectures with an Aircraft Case Study. In AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum. p. 0700.
Cilli, M. (2015). Seeking improved defense product development success rates through innovations to trade-off analysis methods. Dissertation. Stevens Institute of Technology.
Cloutier, R., Mostashari, A., McComb, S. et al. (2010). Investigation of a Graphical CONOPS Development Environment for Agile Systems Engineering-Phase 2, SERC-2010-TR-007-1. Hoboken, NJ: Stevens Institute of Technology.
Cloutier, R., Hamilton, D., Zigh, T. et al. (2013). Prototype of a Graphical CONOPs (Concept of Operations) Development Environment for Agile Systems Engineering, SERC-2013-TR-030-2, 142. Hoboken, NJ: Stevens Institute of Technology.
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Korfiatis, P. (2013). Development of a Virtual Concept Engineering Process to Extend Model-Based Systems Engineering. Hoboken, NJ: Stevens Institute of Technology.
Korfiatis, P., Cloutier, R., and Zigh, T. (2012). Graphical CONOPs development to enhance model based systems engineering. Proceedings of the 2012 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference Third International Engineering Systems Symposium, CESUN 2012 (G. Lim and J.W. Herrmann, eds.), 18–20 June 2012. Delft University of Technology. no. 18–20.
Korfiatis, P., Cloutier, R., and Zigh, T. (2015). Model-based concept of operations development using gaming simulation: preliminary findings. Simulation and Gaming 46 (5): 471–488.
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Mostashari, A., McComb, S.A., Kennedy, D.M. et al. (2012). Developing a stakeholder-assisted agile CONOPs development process. Systems Engineering 15 (1): 1–13.
Vesonder, G., Verma, D., Hutchinson, N. et al. (2018). RT-171: Mission Engineering Competencies Technical Report. Stevens Institute of Technology. Hoboken, NJ.
