Using model-based systems engineering to design system-based digital twins

Although the application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is an alternative for designing digital twins (DTs), MBSE possesses a steep learning curve, and quite often companies struggle to translate its theoretical benefits into their reality. Furthermore, the challenge of determining the DT model’s fidelity, which brings balance between simulation accuracy and development costs, increases the modelling task difficulty. This paper presents the initial results from the research into facilitating the design of a system-based DT, where various models are combined to obtain the desired representation of reality. The main contribution of this paper is towards MBSE practice, where a simplified eight-step MBSE modelling approach for system-based DTs is proposed. The modelling approach begins with the existing physical product and the need for a DT and results in a simulation model that constitutes the core of an actionable virtual twin. To shorten the MBSE learning curve, a set of guidelines is proposed to delimitate the Systems Modelling Language (SysML) use in Eclipse Papyrus, and a Python parser was built to convert the SysML models’ information into the simulation model. The approach, guidelines and parser are analysed via an application example. In this example, the model’s creation, validation and use are illustrated. The initial results indicate that the approach and modelling guidelines provide the necessary scaffolding for simplifying and facilitating MBSE application and SysML use in the design of system-based DTs.