Systems-of-Systems Architecting: Coupling Operations, Objects, and Time-Centric Design Using Optimization Approaches and Real Options Analysis

Rania Hassan, Ph.D.

A System-of-Systems (SoS) is a large complex system that consists of multiple complex but self-contained systems that are capable of independent operations and that are brought together to provide a global need beyond that of the individual constituents. The three elements that describe an SoS are: architecture, objects, and time. The objects are complex systems in their own right, for example a set of ground, air and space vehicles. The architecture describes the relationships between the objects. The time element describes how the relationships between the objects vary over time and how the set of available objects could also change over time. My research goal is to provide a comprehensive set of eneralizable, optimization-based methods that solve SoS design problems where the interactions between the three elements are fully taken into consideration. Various topics related to SoS design will be presented including: a classification of uncertainties, flexibility versus robustness, Real Options analysis, and heuristic optimization approaches. Case studies on satellite fleets, space exploration architectures, and off-shore oil pipeline networks will be presented to aid the discussion.