Model Annotations and Tools for Teamwork, Execution, and Reuse (MATTER)

In order to carry out space-based science missions, NASA is responsible for designing, developing, and operating very complex, long-lived, and expensive systems. Early investment in analyzing a wide range of options can produce markedly better designs. That means pervasive modeling and simulation (M&S) early in conceptual design could pay large dividends for NASA, especially if M&S were cheaper to carry out, and if resulting models could be exploited throughout and across projects. We propose to develop Model Annotations and Tools for Teamwork, Execution, and Reuse (MATTER). This innovative technology will increase the efficiency and value of model-based systems engineering (MBSE). MATTER will improve on existing SysML-based MBSE by defining new types of metadata that enable valuable processing capabilities not supported by the standard SysML language and existing tools: (1) Semantic descriptions capturing the intended uses of model fragments will encourage reuse, when combined with tools for managing and searching a model library; (2) Additional descriptions of model component interfaces will enable efficient composition and configuration of models; (3) Annotations on the behaviors and constraints of model elements will ease automation of simulation generation and analysis; (4) Tracking of model changes--including version branches representing alternate designs--will facilitate flexible trade analysis, model continuity and evolution across the project lifecycle, and teamwork; and (5) Generation and routing of change notifications will further coordinate team efforts, as awareness of shifts in inputs or the irrelevance of intended outputs will reduce wasted work. During this project, we will design the system and develop a software prototype that illustrates the feasibility and utility of this approach.

MATTER technology will enable NASA mission planners and systems engineers to more quickly and thoroughly document, evaluate, vary, and extend early design explorations and decisions. MATTER will contribute to the successful adoption of MBSE, lowering the costs of formal modeling and increasing the payoffs. Application will not ultimately be limited to use on space-based science missions. With appropriate extension to ontologies and growth of supporting libraries, MATTER can become an enterprise-wide accelerator across entire mission lifecycles.

Whether in Government or industry, essentially all large-scale systems development efforts have a substantial systems engineering component. These could all benefit from the increased rigor of MBSE and the improved usability, economics, and long-term payoff of MATTER. Thus, this technology will be of high value, for instance, in many Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Aviation Administration acquisitions. Likewise, industrial systems, ranging from production, to transportation, to management, will be able to benefit from the ability of MATTER to support teamwork, executable models, and efficient model reuse.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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.