1: Levels of Abstraction

Nano-Engineering parts cells

EngineeringSystems

Macro-Engineering

fleetsinfrastructures

enterprises Management Science

Bio-Engineering

Subatomic WorldQuantum Physics

MaterialScience

materials molecules Chemistry

UniverseCosmology

PopulationsNations

EpidemiologyPolitical Science

Built Environment

LengthScale

Living ThingsInnate Things

atoms atomswaves

10-9

100

103

106

10-6

10-12

ProductDevelopment

productsvehicles

individualsMedicine

Psychology

[m]

1012

Need for Reconfigurability

Resource Efficiency Reconfigurability

UncertaintyManagement

SystemEvolution

Graceful Degradation

Stage of Occurence

development

manufacturingdeployment

operation

Reconfigurability

Definitions – Reconfiguration Objects

• Modules (in the context of reconfigurability) are basic units that can be either added, removed, or transformed during a reconfiguration process, or in other words, that can be subject to modification1

• Interfaces are what establish interactive links between a module and entities that are external to the module. Each interface can be described in terms of its nature, extent, timing, and sensitivity characteristics

• Effectors are the elements that are necessary for carrying out the reconfiguration processes. They can be internal or external to the modules/system.

1: A. Urbani’, S.P. Negri’,“Example of Measure of the Degree of Reconfigurability of a Modular Parallel Kinematic Machine”

level 1

level 2

level n

level 3

Modules

Effectors

Typical Position of Modules and Effectors in System Decomposition Level

Examples:Polybot Morphing UAV PSV Cluster FPGAs

Module block wings chassis frame Satellite logic cellModule Level 1 1 2 1 1Effector motor piezo actuators actuators Thrusters instruction setEffector Level 2 2 3 3 NA

ReconfigurableSystem

Effectors Interfaces

Reconfiguring

ModulesOther

Components

Classification

Modules Modules-Nature

Interfaces Interface - Nature

Processes LC Stage

Iso-Modular

(FPGA, satellite cluster, polybot etc.)

Physical Common

(sectional-modularity systems etc.)

Material Transformation

(space radar etc)

Production

(automobiles, aircraft etc)Informational Substitution

(for upgrades/repair)

Active Operation

(morphing UAVs etc)

Poly-Modular

(LEGO, RMS etc.)

Informational Specific

(PSV, morphing UAV)

Energy Addition

(ISS, buildings etc.)

Passive Operation

(SR cell phones, FPGAs etc.)

Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid