Julian Johnson

Bio: Julian Johnson is an academic researcher from BAE Systems. The author has contributed to research in topics: Interoperability & System of systems engineering. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 12 publications receiving 52 citations. Previous affiliations of Julian Johnson include Loughborough University.

A DDS Based Framework for Remote Integration over the Internet

Abstract: A framework is developed to allow multiple development teams to collaborate over the Internet on the development, integration and testing of complex system. The proposed framework is based on the Service Oriented Architecture concept and implemented in the form of data-centric publisher/subscriber architecture, employing Data Distribution Service middleware (DDS) for communications. A prototype realization of the proposed framework has been developed using a Process Control Unit rig. In the prototype, embedded real time software has been developed. Before being delivered to the integrator of the rig or a central service, the embedded software remains at the developer’s facility and has been remotely integrated and tested with operational software running in the PCU rig located remotely from the software developer. This paper presents the adopted software architecture and the middleware and rig employed to realize the framework prototype. Basic functionality for remote integration and testing is also described in the paper.

5.6.2 The Maturing Systems Engineering Data Exchange Standard AP-233 & Your Role

Abstract: The data exchange standard identified as AP-233, ‘systems engineering application protocol’ is to be established within the framework of ISO 10303, “STEP”, the Standard for the Technical Exchange of Product Data. The standard activity was initiated, and much initial technical work was pursued, by the European research project SEDRES. The work within AP-233 has continued, building on the work of SEDRES, with a global industrial representation. This paper gives a status report on the AP-233 activity. A follow-on project SEDRES-2, with expanded consortium, is well underway. The essence of the SEDRES-2 mission statement is: to extend, validate and standardise the Systems Engineering (SE) data model and nurture its practical implementation and multi-sector exploitation as a key enabler for industry. This paper explains the objectives, approach, time scales, and extended data scope of the SEDRES-2 project, and gives a preview of early results from this next stage in achieving a comprehensive, workable systems engineering data exchange standard. Finally, it explains the significance of AP-233 to your work, and what you can do to contribute to achieving the goal of a supported and adopted SE data standard.

7.5.1 An incremental hybridisation of heterogeneous case studies to develop an ontology for capability engineering

Abstract: An analysis of perspectives for “capability engineering” has been conducted by the INCOSE UK Capability Working Group (CWG). This paper is a continuation of this study led by the CWG ontology work stream that aims to develop a single shared ontology for the concept of capability engineering to enable semantic interoperability and to support a formal and explicit specification of a shared conceptualisation. Case study material from the different domains of rail, defence and information services was used. The ontology development was executed in three phases; (1) pre-analysis, (2) ontology modelling and (3) post-analysis. The pre-analysis involved literature reviews, requirements specification, systems engineering process utilisation; and resource identification i.e. examination of the case study material. The ontology modelling phase comprised information extraction and classification in addition to modelling and code representation using a mark-up tool, MS Excel and Protege. The post-analysis involved validation workshops through using expert focus groups.

5.7.2 The Data Standard AP‐233: An Invigorator for Global Systems Engineering

Abstract: Contemporary systems engineering developments are frequently global in scope, and ‘distributed’ in both graphical and temporal senses, involving many different design and analysis tools, across systems engineering and various specialist engineering disciplines. Currently there is little interoperability between these suites of tools. This situation can have real stagnating effects on systems engineering activities, and considerable detrimental economic, productivity and quality consequences. Neutral data exchange is one solution to this problem. The AP-233 systems engineering data interoperability standard will be fundamentally important, making global systems engineering in heterogeneous design environments possible. The aims, approach and results to date of the SEDRES-2 project, the most recent AP-233 data model, and the relationship to other areas of work, are described. Several business scenarios where AP-233 has the potential to make a significant contribution are explained. A mature semantic-level systems engineering interoperability standard is an essential enabler and a significant invigorator to distributed systems engineering.

Does a short period of lower limb strength training improve performance in field-based tests of running and agility in young professional soccer players?

Abstract: The present study assessed the effects of specific leg strength training (as part of a broader exercise program) on running speed and agility in young professional soccer players. Twenty-six male players (ages 17 to 19 years) were divided into 3 groups. The reference group (Re) performed individual technical work only, the coordination group (Co) performed a circuit designed to promote agility, coordination, and balance control (together with some technical work) and the Squat group (Sq) underwent 3 series of 3 squat repetitions (at 90% of the individual maximum value) and a sprint, before competition of the agility circuit and some technical work. These specific training programs were performed 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Before the experimental session and at the end of each week, all players were assessed using 4 types of tests, (agility, a shuttle test with changes of direction, and 2 sprints over 10 and 7.32 meters, respectively), with completion time being the only performance parameter recorded. Our results indicate that in the short sprints or shuttle sprint with changes in direction, lower limb strengthening did not improve performance. Performance improved in all 3 groups in the agility test but more so in the reference and coordination groups. It appears that soccer-specific training composed of exercise circuits specifically adapted to the different types of effort actually used in match play can enhance agility and coordination.

A Generic Principle for Enabling Interoperability of Structured and Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Tools

Abstract: In the 1980s, the evolution of engineering methods and techniques yielded the object-oriented approaches. Specifically, object orientation was established in software engineering, gradually relieving structured approaches. In other domains, e.g. systems engineering, object orientation is not well established. As a result, different domains employ different methods and techniques. This makes it difficult to exchange information between the domains, e.g. passing systems engineering information for further refinement to software engineering. This thesis presents a generic principle for bridging the gap between structured and object-oriented specification techniques. The principle enables interoperability of structured and object-oriented analysis and design tools through mutual information exchanges. Therefore, the concepts and elements of representative structured and object-oriented specification techniques are identified and analyzed. Then, a metamodel for each specification technique is created. From the meta-models, a common metamodel is synthesized. Finally, mappings between the meta-models and the common meta-model are created. Used in conjunction, the meta-models, the common meta-model and the mappings enable tool interoperability through transforming specification information under one meta-model via the common meta-model into a representation under another metamodel. Example transformations that illustrate the proposed principle using fragments of an aircraft’s landing gear specification are provided. The work presented in this thesis is based on the achievements of the SEDRES (ESPRIT 20496), SEDEX (NUTEK IPII-98-6292) and SEDRES-2 (IST 11953) projects. The projects strove for integrating different systems engineering tools in the forthcoming ISO-10303-233 (AP-233) standard for systems engineering design data. This thesis is an extension to the SEDRES / SEDEX and AP-233 achievements. It specifically focuses on integrating structured and modern UML based object-oriented specification techniques which was only performed schematically in the SEDRES / SEDEX and AP-233 work.

An approach to systems engineering tool data representation and exchange

Abstract: Over the last decades computer based tools have been introduced to facilitate systems engineering processes. There are computer based tools for assisting engineers in virtually every aspect of the systems engineering process from requirement elicitation and analysis, over functional analysis, synthesis, implementation and verification. It is not uncommon for a tool to provide many services covering more than one aspect of systems engineering. There exist numerous situations where information exchanges across tool boundaries are valuable, e.g., exchange of specifications between organisations using heterogeneous tool sets, exchange of specifications from legacy to modern tools, exchange of pecifications to tools that provide more advanced modelling or analysis capabilities than the originating tool or storage of specification data in a neutral format such that multiple tools can operate on the data. The focus in this thesis is on the analysis, design and implementation of a method and tool neutral information model for enabling systems engineering tool data exchange. The information model includes support for representation of requirements, system functional architecture and physical architecture, and verification and validation data. There is also support for definition of multiple system viewpoints, representation of system architecture, traceability information and version and configuration management. The applicability of the information model for data exchange hasbeen validated through implementation of tool interfaces to COTS and proprietary systems engineering tools, and exchange of real specifications in different scenarios. The results obtained from the validation activities indicate that systems engineering tool data exchange may decrease the time spent for exchanging specifications between partners developing complex systems and that the information model approach described in the thesis is a compelling alternative to tool specific interfaces.