MBSE Approach to Early Naval Ship Design Exploration With Power Electronic Power Distribution System in Power and Energy Corridors

The concept development of any system includes the definition of various parameters of interest and the determination of the threshold (satisfactory) and goal (desired) value for each. These are classically organized into measures of effectiveness (MOEs), measures of performance (MOPs), and technical performance measures (TPMs). These form the basis of performance requirements, the means for evaluating design, and the measure by which systems are validated. A cross-cutting subset of MOPs and TPMs, key performance parameters (KPPs) can define the trade space within which to optimize the emerging solution. Applying this systematic approach is substantially complicated when the system of interest aims for unprecedented capabilities from emerging technologies, which is the situation for electric ship research. This article presents an integration framework that effectively maps out a process leading to defined parameter objectives, which is being developed and used in the U.S. Department of Navy-sponsored power electronic power distribution system (PEPDS) research initiative. The method then integrates the model-based systems engineering (MBSE) system model with genetic algorithm trade space exploration tools.