Towards a System-of-Systems Architecture Definition enabling Cross-Domain Embedded Vehicle Engineering

Engineering of vehicular embedded systems is a difficult task, as the ongoing integration of Cyber-physical Systems (CPS) or automation potentials during vehicle development leads to increasing complexity. In particular, to develop current or future Electric Vehicles (EV) is challenging due to different domains to consider while engineering the sub-components of the vehicle itself. Thus, in order to enable a mutual development of vehicular embedded systems on multiple abstraction levels, the Software Platform Embedded Systems (SPES) has been introduced. To cope with the complexity, this framework introduces viewpoints and hierarchy layers in shape of a matrix. However, while additionally multiple domains have to be considered when developing an EV, the SPES methodology is also missing specifications, impeding its application in actual industrial scenarios. To deal with both of the mentioned issues, this paper introduces an approach for Model-based Systems Engineering of electric vehicle systems based on SPES. By doing so, this framework is further refined by an architecture definition based on the ISO 42010 and a corresponding development process. By utilizing the EV use case, the outcome is thereby validated towards its industrial feasibility, which will enhance the applicability of SPES on the one hand and contribute to the Automotive area by dealing with the increasing complexity while engineering vehicular embedded systems on the other hand.