Integrated (Web-based) Digital Engineering Framework (IDEF) - Ground and Space Segment Engineering Framework version 3 (GSEFv-3)
As a reimplementation of the second version of the Ground Segment Engineering Framework (GSEF-v2), the Ground and Space Segment Engineering Framework (GSEF-v3) is a production-ready web-based SysML v2 compliant MBSE framework that enables concurrent and collaborative modelling for complex systems. This framework integrates with the same key tools as GSEF v2 while also establishing governance processes to support model reuse and configuration control management. Targeted users are the mission engineers and any external domain specific tools and systems that contribute to the overall design, architecture, validation or operational activities.
As a major difference with the GSEF-v2, the GSEF-v3 is largely built on the open source SysON software framework and incorporate its fundamental construction principles. The GSEF-v3 product consist of independent software components that are assembled to create a coherent product. The choice of SysON as a foundation is motivated by its open-source nature, its approach to providing a web-based modelling tool (graphical and textual edition), and the fact it is specifically designed for editing SysML v2 models. It adheres to the Object Management Group (OMG) standard, ensuring compatibility and adherence to best practices. Its web-based architecture not only enhances accessibility but also supports contemporary trends in graphical modelling. Operating as an open-source platform based on Eclipse Sirius Web, SysON offers transparency and adaptability, allowing for customization to meet project-specific requirements.
The key evolutions integrated into the GSEF-v3 include a high-performance and sustainable data persistence layer and full SysML v2 conformance without custom logic or interpretations. The framework allows for the definition of Domain Model Libraries directly handled by users, and a range of user-configurable exploration and edition means: tree, diagrams, tables, forms, matrices including common editor operations like undo/redo, fostering data modelling. The framework also provides enhanced support for reference libraries, including creation, reuse, and governance, as well as integration with ESA domain-specific tools for data analysis and other domain modelling like security. Libraries management allow for their publication and upgrade by users including automatic migration.
The GSEF-v3 system supports collaboration and cooperation among users through secure access control and authentication management, with additional authorisation layers for project resources. It includes version control support, enabling efficient management of different versions of engineering models, libraries, and methodologies. GSEF-v3 also features a dedicated review process, with a user interface for guiding users through the review process, including branch creation, review parameters, user panel management, and Review Item Discrepancy inspired discussions attached to model elements. The Discussion component facilitates collaboration and information sharing by allowing users to create ad-hoc discussions and add comments. The document generation feature has been extended to support embedding of GSEF-v3 diagrams and tables, and file attachments are supported for external systems and arbitrary files. The query mechanism has been extended to provide DML-specific services.
GSEF-v3 offers a web-based interface for project management, import and export in JSON format. It provides REST API aligned with SysML v2 specification for external tools and scripts, supports configurable import/export of data in CSV format. Additionally, GSEF-v3 includes a dedicated software interface for the MBEH (for data analysis and multi-tools data aggregation) and SSE Toolset (for security modelling).
A detailed security risk analysis has been conducted by identifying assets, risk and threat scenarios and providing justifications on countermeasures applied in the software and deployment means. Conformance with standard security requirements has been targeted in the application development and discussions have started with the ESA security office to account for a formal PL2 certification of the deployment of the application. Deployment instructions for a standard Kubernetes cluster are also provided including all the application modules and interfaces. The resulting software has been made available to the activity stakeholders in a deployment environment representative of expected production settings. Interest has been shown during the activity by operational end-users from ESOC, ESTEC and ESAC who also provided feedbacks during the second phase of the activity and helped in orienting the development towards their needs.