A Full-Stack Systems Engineering Framework for Complex Systems-of-Systems Simulation

This paper presents a comprehensive full-stack systems engineering framework designed to enhance the adaptability, scalability, and interoperability of complex systems across various domains, including defense, transportation, and industrial automation. The proposed framework is organized into five interconnected layers: the Task Layer, which defines mission objectives and stakeholder needs; the System Architecture Layer, which captures high-level system behavior and structural decomposition; the Subsystem Layer, responsible for modeling domain-specific subsystems; the Component Layer, which encapsulates functional elements and their interactions; and the Hardware and Software Interface Layer, which manages the integration of physical components with software control logic. A key feature of this framework is its ability to enable seamless transitions from high-level requirements to detailed component specifications, ensuring traceability and coherence throughout the development lifecycle. The integration of standardized interfaces, such as the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI), enables plug-and-play subsystem integration, promoting modularity and reusability. The framework leverages SysML for architecture modeling, discrete event simulation for subsystem behavior analysis, and a co-simulation environment for synchronized software-hardware interaction. This holistic approach supports robust system verification, validation, and iterative optimization in both design and operational phases. By enabling multi-level abstraction, cross-domain integration, and simulation-based evaluation, this structured framework provides a scalable and flexible platform for addressing the growing complexity of modern systems. It serves as a valuable asset for engineers, architects, and decision-makers seeking to accelerate development cycles, reduce integration risk, and enhance overall system performance.