Digital Pipelines – A framework for Continuous Integration, Verification, and Delivery of Complex Systems

Digital Pipelines combines modern DevOps practices with model-based systems engineering to enable continuous integration (CI), verification (CV), and delivery (CD) of complex systems. Digital Pipelines can be configured to perform the following tasks on an automated and scheduled basis: (1) build a Candidate System Configuration (CSC) as a digital thread by fetching the latest state of models/data in distributed tools and repositories, (2) execute test plans on CSC and generate test reports, and (3) deploy Validated System Configuration (VSC) as a baseline and generate stakeholder reports, such as those required for PDRs and CDRs. Digital Pipelines builds on the concept of an open and federated digital thread. Candidate and Validated System Configurations developed during the CI/CV/CD pipeline are represented as digital threads. Digital threads are conceptualized as mathematical graphs whose nodes are model elements in various tools/repositories and whose edges are intra and inter-model relationships. Digital Pipelines provides a novel, intuitive, and extensible approach for system engineers to create tests for continuous verification using graph query expressions. In the Phase 1 project, the prototype Digital Pipelines framework will be demonstrated using a Spacecraft testbed that includes SysML models, requirement models, PLM/CAD models, project schedule and task models, simulation models, test models, and software modules, each managed in their native tools and repositories.

Technology developed in this project is applicable to all current and future NASA missions, both human exploration and robotic, that are actively deploying or investigating model-based systems engineering capabilities in a distributed and collaborative environment. Some notable examples are (1) Lunar Gateway, (2) Lunar Outpost, (3) Mars 2020, (4) Europa Clipper, (5) Europa Lander, and (6) Mars Sample Return. The Intercax team is actively working with several mission teams at NASA JPL that are adopting MBSE.

Collaborative, distributed, and concurrent MBSE is taking a center stage in many industries, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, transportation, energy, healthcare, consumer goods, and electronics. Intercax has customers across these industries. Automated and continuous integration, verification, and delivery of systems are crucial for these industries to remain competitive globally.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.