Systems Engineering - a Holistic Approach, Whatever the Requirement?

Ayman EL-FATATRY¹, Henne van HEEREN<sup>2

1</sup>BAE SYSTEMS, Systems Engineering Innovation Centre - SEIC
²enablingMNT

Abstract. Micro and nano technology based (sub)systems are increasing in complexity both as stand alone components and highly interconnected / integrated systems. In essence, micro/nano systems technology is advancing towards the realisation of, multi-functional, intelligent devices such as the lab-on-a-chip for diagnostics or miniaturised inertial measurement units for aerospace / automotive applications. These sub-systems will, in future, become integrated within larger systems to form part of an, intelligent, ambient environment populated with sensors, actuators and wireless transceivers. In such complex environments, intelligence will be distributed and shared via, ad-hoc, wireless networks and data/knowledge will be processed in real-time. The essence of such an ambient intelligent environment forms the basis of a world of systems of systems.