Auto-Derivation of Functional Flow Block Diagrams from System Architecture using the eSAM Method

The Electronic System Architecture Modeling (eSAM) method is a new model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach for modeling system architectures. eSAM was created to effectively model Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) architectures but is not limited to IMA applications. eSAM leverages a distributed modeling approach, where hosted systems are independently modeled by system owners and allocated to the IMA platform by the IMA system integrator.This paper details a novel method for auto-deriving and generating a bottom-up Functional Flow Block Diagram (FFBD). eSAM provides a continuously updated model of functional dependencies at the functional data exchange level. This model is automatically derived from the eSAM hybrid logical/physical system architecture model and associated functional allocations. This addresses a key challenge of maintaining functional analyses since functional dependencies evolve during the development cycles, requiring the FFBDs to be updated periodically. Due to lagging diagram maintenance, FFBDs typically do not accurately represent the detailed system design until the end of system development when the design stabilizes. In contrast, eSAM provides auto-drawn views of FFBDs throughout development, minimizing the overhead of manually synchronizing model views and providing confidence that the FFBD represents the current, detailed component-level system model. eSAM has been implemented using the MathWorks System Composer™ tool, and a custom eSAM toolbox was generated to provide this FFBD capability.