The subject name is = Introduction to Systems Engineering
The assignment brief is given below =
Referencing and citation = Harvard or IEEE style
Assignment: Concept Design
Part 1: Functional Baseline // 20 marks
The objective of this section is to develop a Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD). Reverse engineer one of the following three systems to determine a functional baseline. Use this to then generate an Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD).
1. Sponge Cities (eg. Qian’an, China; Montreal, Canada; Jakarta, Indonesia; etc)
2. Smart Speakers (eg. Google Nest, Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, Sonos Move, etc)
3. Mobile Payment App (eg. Google Pay, Apple Pay, Paypal, Venmo, Samsung Pay, etc).
For each of these systems there are many physical system architectures that you can study. The goal is to derive a single functional baseline that describes the functions and boundaries of the system considered. A key learning outcome is to understand how studying existing systems, as well as using your own understanding, helps to develop a functional baseline for a new system.
The deliverable for this part is a functional baseline document. This takes the form of a functional decomposition, in list form, coupled with an FFBD structure that visualises the flow of function through the system. Use decomposition of high-level functions into lower-level functions where appropriate. This will lead to nested sets of FFBDs. Make sure that you include external functions and actions where appropriate and draw the system boundary where appropriate. [2-3 pages]
Part 2: Concept Comparison
Undertake the concept design phase for your scenario from Part 1. Choose a key functional block and find a causal path with at most two other functional blocks. For each functional block come up with at least 2 or 3 technology concepts. Choose a selection of technologies from the concepts and from these generate a single concept sketch. Make sure that the concept sketches cover the whole system and not just the causal path you used to describe the basic idea. [1-2 pages]
Part 3: System Architecture
For your selected concept sketch, provide a system architecture diagram [1/2 page], a physical baseline (that is list of subsystems with short description) [1/2 page], and a functional allocation (that is a table that correlates functions to subsystems) [1/2 page]. [Total of around 1-2 pages]
Assessment
Marks are allocated for
• Quality of the functional baseline.
• The quality and diversity of the concept sketch.
• The professionalism of the system architecture and physical baseline.
Report structure:
1. Executive summary: [indicative length 1/2 page]
a. What class of system did you consider.
b. Outline the proposed concept at a high level.
2. Functional baseline [2-3 pages depending on the number of subsystems required)]
a. Provide a set of FFBDs that capture the functional decomposition of the proposed system. This should be a graphic and easy to read. Typically a complex FFBD will require a half page or even a whole page to draw clearly.
b. A functional decomposition listing all of the functions of the system in a suitable hierarchy and structure. Provide suitable labelling and naming for each of the functions.
3. Concept selection [1-2 pages]
a. An outline of the brainstorming process that you undertook up to and including concepts for individual functions.
b. One concept sketch [1 page max each including figure]
4. System Architecture [2-3 pages]
a. A set of system architecture diagrams that capture the system architecture.
b. A system decomposition listing all subsystems in a suitable hierarchy and structure. Provide suitable labelling and naming for each of the subsystems.
c. A functional allocation table. Allocate functions to subsystem in tabular form.
5. Recommendation. [ max ½ page]
a. A short concluding statement that supports the choice of the concept for consideration in the preliminary design stage.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify different types of systems through key behaviours and functionality
2. Gather, analyse, and communicate requirements to technical and non-technical audiences
The brief of the assignment is given above. Read the questions and the requirements in detail. Please go through it properly. The assignment need diagrams to be drawn. So draw the diagram properly with all the requirements and the needs.
Give references/citations wherever possible. Explain in simple language.
Report structure is also given for reference. Please do follow that.
If any issues, please get in touch.
