Innovation is happening more and more at the system level where different technologies converge. For example the majority of differentiating functions in an automobile, such as adaptive cruise control, Lane assist, parking assistant involve several major subsystems like electronics, software, as well as dynamics and physics of the vehicle. Same as in case of any modern autonomous in Aerospace, defence, Marine, Heavy machinery etc. Implementing these functionalities requires a system level approach.

The system level approach is known by different names: systems engineering, model-based design, model-based systems engineering, systems-driven product development, 1D CAE and many others.  Systems engineering traces its roots back to Bell Labs in the 1940s.  Although the approach has been there for many years, it was largely confined to specialist departments, separate from the mainstream design and manufacturing groups.  And even though the approach has value across many different industries it is only truly adopted in a few and just being considered in others.

However, with increasing use of software, electronics and controls in addition to the traditional mechanical components, all industries like Automotive,  Aerospace and Defence, Heavy Equipment etc is increasingly looking at tools to manage systems engineering processes.

Since 1D system components are based on fundamental governing equations and empirical relationships derived from experimental data, the systems assembled out of it can be a very accurate representation of the physical systems. The accuracy depends on how close the characters of the components are represented, whether it’s range of operation is within the range of these characteristics and how accurately the interaction between components across multiple disciplines and physics are modelled.

For standard mechanical components like springs, gears, cams etc.; hydraulic component like pipes, bends, junction, orifices etc. or heat transfer components like certain types of standard heat exchangers etc. can be very accurately  represented by equations and correlations. But more specific components like pumps, compressors, special type of valves, electric motors, batteries, engines etc. need specific characteristics which should be derived by testing or detailed Finite Element Analyses.