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System Engineering Tasks
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eXpress Applicability
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Mission Requirements Analysis
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eXpress supports the development of Mission Requirements Analysis by providing analysis data that is prerequisite to informed decision-making. The parameters needed to satisfy constraints imposed by Mission Requirements Analysis (in particular, constraints upon system Reliability, Maintainability and Testability), are evaluated by Analysts based on the results of the eXpress analysis.
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Functional Analysis & Allocation
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Using a top-down approach to modeling, Analysts can iteratively develop a diagnostic model that reflects the most recent Functional Analysis & Allocation. The ease with which eXpress supports iterative, top-down modeling greatly facilitates its use for the concurrent development and assessment of a system's diagnostic capability.
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Synthesis
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An eXpress model provides an excellent medium for the synthesis of the various elements that comprise a system design. eXpress's graphic depiction of a design can be developed in a variety of formats (resembling schematics, physical layout, functional drawings, management diagrams, etc.) to facilitate communication between engineers in different development disciplines. Because eXpress models are defined hierarchically, they can easily depict the intra- and inter-system, subsystem, module and item interfaces—thereby permitting full traceability between elements at different levels of the design hierarchy. Furthermore, eXpress's robust attribute engine allows any number of attributes to be associated with any model element (components, functions, tests, etc.) so that eXpress can be used as a data governing tool in an interoperable system engineering process.
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Logistic Engineering & Logistic Support Analyses
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By characterizing the performance of an operational system under test, eXpress analyses can provide essential input to the Logistic Engineering process. Conversely, many of the reliability and maintenance parameters utilized by eXpress (such as component failure rates and expected Corrective Maintenance Costs/Times) are frequently derived from Logistic Support Analyses (and can often be imported from LSA databases).
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Maintenance Engineering Analysis
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eXpress provides several metrics (including Mean Time to Repair and Inherent Availability) that can be used to estimate the impact of changes to the diagnostic design upon system Maintainability. These calculations are based on a reduced set of parameters in order to facilitate their use in early and iterative assessments during system development. The Corrective Maintenance Times and test accessibility data derived from Maintainability Analysis can be imported into eXpress.
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Repair Level Analysis
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eXpress analysis results, such as Fault Detection and Fault Isolation confidence, support Repair Level Analysis. The results of Repair Level Analyses can be easily incorporated into an eXpress model, thereby facilitating iterative use of the tool in a concurrent engineering environment. Furthermore, the ability to make rapid changes in eXpress provides a fast cycle time for Repair Level trade studies.
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Logistic Support Modeling
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eXpress models/analyses can be used as the basis for a Logistic Support Model. The Support Model is typically based on the Integrated Support Plan, LSA, Maintenance Plan, and the Repair Level Analysis. This in turn supports supply chain models, along with other logistics resource models such as tools and test equipment, technical documentation, training, facilities, etc.
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Life Cycle Cost Analysis
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Although eXpress does not itself perform Life Cycle Cost Analysis, it provides several metrics (including Mean Cost to Repair) that can be used to evaluate the effect of changes to the diagnostic design upon Life Cycle Cost. These calculations are based on a reduced set of parameters in order to facilitate their use in early and iterative assessments during system development.
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Optimization & Trade-off Studies
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eXpress has been designed to facilitate the easy performance of multiple trade-off studies in order to achieve an optimized balance of operational needs, engineering design, program schedule and budget, producibility, supportability and Life Cycle Cost.
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System/Cost Effectiveness Analysis
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Although eXpress does not itself perform System/Cost Effectiveness Analysis, the results of eXpress analyses are often used to support decisions made during the System/Cost Effectiveness Analysis process.
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Effectiveness Analysis Modeling
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eXpress models/analyses can be used as the basis for an Effectiveness Analysis Model. The design effectiveness parameters include Fault Detection and Fault Isolation confidence, optimum use of sensors, functional criticality and the ability to identify critical Failure modes with recommended remediation.
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Production Engineering Analysis
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Although eXpress is not typically used to perform Production Engineering Analysis, the results of eXpress analyses can be used to support decisions made during the Production Engineering Analysis process.
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Generation of Specifications
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can be used to perform top-down analysis prior to the selection of a design solution. This top-down approach can be based on initial system requirements and Concept of Operations (CONOPS) definitions. Diagnostic allocations can be made to the subsystem and component levels to provide requirements for the generation of specifications. Early trade studies are also supported by the eXpress analysis to ensure that specifications meet performance goals, as well as Life Cycle Cost goals.
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