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Engineering Systems Integration
could be consumed by knowing the fuel (or energy) consumption. However,
to determine the fuel (or energy) consumption to a higher degree of accuracy
and precision, we would further need to know the constraints imposed on
the system. The limitations are given by the domain of the problem, while
the constraints are a structural property of the solution. For example, limiting the size of the fuel tank or energy source places a maximum amount of
fuel or energy that is available for use. The variability in the use of that fuel
or energy is due to the heat of the engine, the weight of the vehicle, the altitude and slopes of the driving course, the rate of release of fuel, and the
speeds of the vehicle (to mention a few factors).
Summary of Property, Trait, and Attribute
Systems have properties associated with the intrinsic nature of objects (corresponding to a mechanism); traits associated with conditions and mechanisms;
and attributes that are imputed to intangibles that represent measures. From
an integration perspective, we deal with objects, traits, and attributes. These
are the three components of integration that need to be managed. Objects
(both real and intellectual) are signified by their mechanisms, the engines that
result in the interactions with EMMI. Traits illustrate the context (conditions,
e.g., boundary conditions) in which the object is active. Attributes (measures)
describe the constraints that are applied to the object’s properties and traits.
Properties, traits, and attributes are testable. Properties are fundamental to
objects and as such are not measures of performance, for example, mass is
not a performance, although it can be verified as satisfying requirements
through testing or analysis. Traits (properties in context) are related to the
context of an object. A moving object can be measured for speed, relative to
a standard of measurement and a reference point. We sometimes think of
such standards as absolutes; however, they are relative in an absolute sense.
Measuring to a set of standards requires close attention to the validation of
that standard for its intended uses, for example, its fitness for use, given the
particulars of the measurement circumstances. If the task is to measure the
airspeed of a glider, then the standard for measurement could be terra firma
(i.e., ground speed). However, the standard for measurement over the open
ocean presumes a nonmoving surface (firm by all accounts), which is instead
represented by a moving surface of water. Were the glider to attempt a water
landing, the movement of the glider and water necessarily need to be
matched in both speed and direction of movement for a very smooth touchdown. The direction of the water movement is potentially both horizontal
and vertical (depending on the sea-state). In the horizontal direction, if the
glider travels faster than the water movement and in the same direction as
the movement of the waves, the glider will be tangled in waves—engulfed
or inundated. In brief, smooth water landings are quite difficult to achieve.
The standard for measuring relative velocity to a multidimensionally moving surface can be quite complex—deserving close consideration.
Engineering Systems Integration
could be consumed by knowing the fuel (or energy) consumption. However,
to determine the fuel (or energy) consumption to a higher degree of accuracy
and precision, we would further need to know the constraints imposed on
the system. The limitations are given by the domain of the problem, while
the constraints are a structural property of the solution. For example, limiting the size of the fuel tank or energy source places a maximum amount of
fuel or energy that is available for use. The variability in the use of that fuel
or energy is due to the heat of the engine, the weight of the vehicle, the altitude and slopes of the driving course, the rate of release of fuel, and the
speeds of the vehicle (to mention a few factors).
Summary of Property, Trait, and Attribute
Systems have properties associated with the intrinsic nature of objects (corresponding to a mechanism); traits associated with conditions and mechanisms;
and attributes that are imputed to intangibles that represent measures. From
an integration perspective, we deal with objects, traits, and attributes. These
are the three components of integration that need to be managed. Objects
(both real and intellectual) are signified by their mechanisms, the engines that
result in the interactions with EMMI. Traits illustrate the context (conditions,
e.g., boundary conditions) in which the object is active. Attributes (measures)
describe the constraints that are applied to the object’s properties and traits.
Properties, traits, and attributes are testable. Properties are fundamental to
objects and as such are not measures of performance, for example, mass is
not a performance, although it can be verified as satisfying requirements
through testing or analysis. Traits (properties in context) are related to the
context of an object. A moving object can be measured for speed, relative to
a standard of measurement and a reference point. We sometimes think of
such standards as absolutes; however, they are relative in an absolute sense.
Measuring to a set of standards requires close attention to the validation of
that standard for its intended uses, for example, its fitness for use, given the
particulars of the measurement circumstances. If the task is to measure the
airspeed of a glider, then the standard for measurement could be terra firma
(i.e., ground speed). However, the standard for measurement over the open
ocean presumes a nonmoving surface (firm by all accounts), which is instead
represented by a moving surface of water. Were the glider to attempt a water
landing, the movement of the glider and water necessarily need to be
matched in both speed and direction of movement for a very smooth touchdown. The direction of the water movement is potentially both horizontal
and vertical (depending on the sea-state). In the horizontal direction, if the
glider travels faster than the water movement and in the same direction as
the movement of the waves, the glider will be tangled in waves—engulfed
or inundated. In brief, smooth water landings are quite difficult to achieve.
The standard for measuring relative velocity to a multidimensionally moving surface can be quite complex—deserving close consideration.