System Architecture & System Integration
Structured Development of Complex Electronic Systems
Silver Atena develops architectures for complex electronic systems. We describe functions and interfaces, structure the system into subsystems and components, and coordinate hardware, software and mechanics with functional safety and testing.
Depending on the project scope, we support development from architecture and integration through to verification and validation of the overall system. The architecture makes functions, interfaces and dependencies traceable and provides the basis for integration planning.
Challenges in the System Architecture of Complex Electronics
As system complexity increases, architecture decisions affect several engineering disciplines at the same time. Unclear interfaces can lead to integration errors and late changes. In safety-relevant systems, dependencies, fault propagation and potential common-cause failures must also be considered.
System architecture provides the technical basis for this: it defines the structure of the system, its division into subsystems and components, and how they interact. Where required, safe states, redundancy and diagnostics are considered at architecture level together with functional safety.
- Clear System Structure
Complex electronic systems are structured into subsystems, components and clearly defined interfaces. This creates a traceable basis for the other engineering disciplines. - Controlled Interfaces
Clearly defined interfaces are essential for successful integration. They help reduce integration issues and the late changes that can result from them. - Consider Dependencies Early
Interactions, fault propagation and common-cause failures can affect several system elements. Where relevant, they are analysed at system level. - Consider Safety in the Architecture
In safety-relevant systems, requirements relating to safe states, redundancy and diagnostics are incorporated into the architecture. These are defined in coordination with functional safety and the engineering disciplines.
Our Services in System Architecture and System Integration
Silver Atena combines system analysis, architecture definition and integration planning with the development of electronic systems and ECUs for Automotive, Aerospace and Defence. We consider the functions, interfaces and interactions of the components within the overall system.
System Analysis and Architecture Definition
The starting point is the analysis of the overall electronic system. Based on this, we develop a system concept and, depending on the project, describe functional, logical and physical views of the architecture.
The aim is to create a system structure that transparently represents the interaction of the individual elements and provides a robust basis for further development and integration.Subsystems, Components and Interfaces
We structure complex systems into subsystems and components, define their interfaces and allocate requirements to the relevant system elements.
This defines how the individual elements interact within the overall system and what technical relationships exist between them.Function Allocation and Architecture Decisions
We allocate functions to the system elements as well as to hardware and software and document their relationships within the overall architecture. Different solution approaches can be compared using trade-off analyses.
Redundancy and diagnostic concepts are also considered at system level and integrated into the architecture where required for the application.Interface and Integration Concepts
Silver Atena develops interface and integration concepts for the interaction of components and ECUs.
We define the technical interaction of hardware, software and mechanics and align requirements relating to safety and testing accordingly.Integration Planning and Technical Reviews
Technical integration is planned systematically and supported by technical reviews. Interactions within the overall system are analysed and incorporated into the integration and validation strategy.
This allows technical risks to be investigated earlier and enables more targeted planning of integration and testing.
Development Process: From System Analysis to System Integration
System architecture and system integration connect the individual engineering disciplines. They create a traceable structure for development and the subsequent testing of the overall system. The specific steps depend on the individual project.
- Analyse the Overall System
At the outset, the overall electronic system and its functional relationships are examined. The system analysis forms the basis for further system concept development and architecture definition. - Define the System Architecture
Based on the system concept, we describe the functions, logical relationships and physical allocation of system elements at the required level of detail. - Structure the System
The overall system is decomposed into subsystems and components. Interfaces are defined and requirements are allocated to the relevant subsystems. - Allocate Functions
Functions are allocated to hardware and software. Trade-off analyses support architecture decisions; redundancy and diagnostic concepts are integrated into the system structure where required. - Plan Integration and Validation
Interactions within the overall system are analysed. Integration planning, technical reviews and the integration and validation strategy prepare the systematic integration and validation of the system. - Integrate Components and Disciplines
We integrate components and ECUs into the overall system step by step. Defined interfaces and functions are tested at the planned integration levels. The results feed back into further development.
Methods and Standards in System Architecture
Work on system architecture includes allocating requirements to subsystems, defining interfaces, carrying out trade-off analyses and conducting technical reviews. These activities support traceable architecture decisions and integration planning.
The relevant standards depend on the industry, application and development project:
- Automotive: ISO 26262 may be relevant for safety-related electrical and electronic vehicle systems. ISO/SAE 21434 covers cybersecurity engineering. Automotive SPICE is used to assess development processes.
- Aerospace: SAE ARP4754B may serve as guidance for the development of civil aircraft and their systems. Depending on the project, RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-254 may be relevant for the development of the associated software and electronic hardware respectively. The applicable standards and versions depend on the specific project and certification requirements.
System Architecture for Different Industry Requirements
The requirements for system architecture and system integration vary depending on the application. Silver Atena develops electronic systems and ECUs for Automotive, Aerospace and Defence, combining architecture and integration with the specific requirements of each industry.
Automotive
In the Automotive sector, system architecture may cover electronic control units, their interfaces and their interaction within the vehicle. The specific scope depends on the development assignment.
Functional safety and Cyber Security are particularly closely linked to system architecture.
Aerospace
Aerospace systems place particular demands on system architecture. Depending on the aircraft system, redundancy, partitioning and the allocation of requirements from the safety assessment may play a role. The required Development Assurance Level is defined within the context of the specific project.
Defence
In the Defence sector, robustness, modularity and high availability can be important architecture objectives. Additional environmental and EMC requirements may also need to be considered in the interaction of the system disciplines from an early stage.
Your Benefits from an End-to-End System Architecture
A clearly defined system architecture creates the basis for different engineering disciplines to work together effectively and for the overall system to be integrated systematically.
- Fewer Integration Issues and Redesigns
Clear system structures and defined interfaces help reduce integration issues and the redesigns that can result from them. - Clarify Technical Risks Earlier
Architecture decisions, interfaces, dependencies and interactions are considered at overall-system level at an early stage. - End-to-End Traceability
The documented allocation of requirements, functions and system elements supports the traceability of architecture decisions. - Better Planning of Development, Testing and Approval
Systematic architecture and integration planning provides a stronger basis for planning development, testing and approval.
System Architecture in Combination with Other Competences
System architecture and system integration are closely linked to other engineering competences. Depending on the project, these dependencies are considered at an early stage.
Requirements as the Basis of the Technical Structure
Requirements engineering describes what a system must do and why. System architecture and system integration focus on how the system is technically structured, divided and integrated.
The focus is on system structure, interfaces and function allocation. Requirements clarification and architecture development are continuously aligned with each other.
Implementation in Hardware, Software, Functions and Mechanics
System architecture defines the overarching technical structure and the allocation of functions. It therefore has close interfaces with hardware development, embedded software, control and function development as well as mechanics and enclosure development.
Safety, Security and Validation
Functional safety, cyber security, EMC, thermal management, and testing and validation are also closely linked to system architecture.
In safety-relevant systems, we consider the corresponding requirements for safe states, redundancy and diagnostics within the architecture. The integration and validation strategy combines these aspects with the technical integration of the overall system.
Why Silver Atena for System Architecture and System Integration?
System architecture connects requirements, technical architecture, product development, Safety and validation at overall-system level.
- Interdisciplinary Development from a Single Source
Silver Atena combines hardware, Embedded Software, control engineering, mechanics, Safety and testing within system development.
This allows architecture decisions and interactions to be considered across the engineering disciplines involved. - Experience with Safety-Critical Electronics
Silver Atena has experience in safety-critical electronics and develops electronic systems and ECUs for Automotive, Aerospace and Defence.
Safety is considered as an integral part of system architecture and system integration. - System Understanding from Development through to Validation
Silver Atena combines system understanding, product development, testing and series production. Depending on the project, we support the work from architecture through to validation.
This means that both individual components and their interaction within the overall electronic system are considered.
System Architecture and System Integration for Your Development Project
If system structure, interfaces, function allocation or integration are part of your development project, we support you from system analysis and architecture definition through interface and integration concepts to integration planning and validation.