Systematic Comparison of Functional Models in SysML for Design Library Evaluation

Abstract The development of increasingly complex mechatronic, or more generally multi-disciplinary systems, is a challenge. It requires, among other things, efficient and computationally supported model-based conceptual design tools. One solution- and domain-independent approach developed to support this is a formal, functional modeling library in SysML, derived from the functional basis, that provides defined syntax and semantics. This paper presents a comparison of this approach with a more conventional SysML modeling approach to both evaluate the function model library and determine whether the two approaches should be integrated. In this comparison, current functional model benchmarks for representations and models are used to compare the approaches using a model of a hydrokeratome, which is a system to perform refractive eye surgery using a water jet. In general, the comparison shows that each approach has its strengths and weaknesses with respect to representation capabilities for particular applications, which leads to the conclusion that in the future the two approaches may complement one another well. Identified advantages of the function model library are that it is straight forward to use, generally applicably, as shown through the new application presented here, and enables potential for additional computer-based support, e.g. through semi-automated synthesis and model consistency checking.