A Method Using Epoch-Era Analysis to Identify Valuable Changeability in System Design

Abstract

Changeability is a means of creating value robustness in engineering systems that is currently less understood and correspondingly less utilized than more traditional passive robustness. This paper presents a new approach for investigating system changeability using Epoch-Era Analysis, with an emphasis on tradespace exploration using an illustrative case study. Epoch-Era Analysis is an approach for describing systems over time as existing in a series of static contexts (epochs) that change stochastically. A five-step method is used to generate an intuitive and accessible set of data and graphs describing the abstract concept of changeability, which is difficult to grasp due to its intrinsically time-dependent nature. Ideas for future changeability metrics are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA544772

Entities

People

  • Adam M. Ross
  • Donna H. Rhodes
  • Matthew E. Fitzgerald

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Algorithms
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Case Studies
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Order Statistics
  • Probability
  • Probability Distributions
  • Random Variables
  • Simulations
  • Space Systems
  • Space Tugs
  • Spacecraft
  • Systems Engineering
  • Systems Science

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

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