Leveraging Aerospace Industry Digital Transformation: Bridging the gap from MBSE to MBD with Digital Twin Simulation for Mechatronic Systems Requirements Early Validation

Validation and Verification (V and V) of mechatronic system requirements is an important early-stage activity in the development process. The use of advanced technologies becomes essential in this process, particularly when these technologies enhance the representativity and precision of the multiphysics models, that are required for mechatronic systems modeling and simulation. The closer the models are to reality, the more efficient the early V and V process becomes. By reducing the gap between the virtual model and the physical reality, engineers can significantly decrease the time required for early-stage V and V. Digital Twins (DTs) reduce this gap by enabling real-time simulation. Acting as the unique virtual representation of the physical system, the DT represents all system components within a single virtual model, that allows engineers to verify and validate system requirements in multiple architecture levels. The digital transformation in industry has led engineers to use more advanced technologies in their domains. However, engineers often use different tools at various stages of the development process. Systems engineers, typically use a specific Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tool. And on the other hand, simulation engineers, rely on multiphysics modeling tools, based on Model-Based Design (MBD). Thus, for digital thread purposes, there is a need to define a standardized method that connects these different tools, bridging the gap between requirements definition and simulation, enabling requirements V and V. This paper presents an approach with this aim, applying it on a Mechatronic Testbench of Business class aircraft seats.