The application of modelling to assist C3I system integration

System integration in the command control communication and intelligence (C³I) domain involves the bringing together of a large number of separately procured, complex equipments to produce a system in which these constituent equipments are required to work harmoniously together. The approach to system integration which has been developed uses a combination of modelling techniques. Many of the techniques and disciplines associated with systems engineering have been widely applied on specific projects. However, a significant feature of the proposed approach is that systems engineering is undertaken not just for the individual equipments which comprise the system but also for the system as a whole. The approach also advocates that it is necessary to do not only logical (essential) modelling, but also dynamic (performance) modelling. The paper proceeds by describing the integration problem and then outlining various modelling techniques and tools. An overview of structured analysis is given and a number of dynamic modelling methods are discussed. Finally, the application of these techniques in system integration is reviewed with reference to a case study