What is true about a system states and modes?

What is System?

Before we discuss the system state, let me quickly explain what a system is. A system is a collection of parts that work together to accomplish something. Think of it like a team where each member has a specific role, and together, they achieve a common goal.

What is true about a system state?

Imagine a system is like a robot that we can give different jobs to do. A “state” is like the robot’s current condition or what it’s doing at any given time. Here’s what is true about a system state:

• A state is a measurable attribute: This means we can observe and measure what the robot is doing. For example, we can check if the robot is moving, if its battery is full, or if it’s holding something.

• Absent is a possible state: This means sometimes the robot might not be doing something. For example, if the robot is not moving, it is in an “absent” state for movement. It can be doing nothing or waiting for the next command.

• State variables are multi-dimensional: This means the robot’s condition isn’t just one thing but many things at once. For example, the robot can be “moving” (one state variable), “carrying a box” (another state variable), and “battery level at 80%” (another state variable). So, there are many aspects to describe its state.

• They can represent environmental constraints: This means the robot’s state can also show the limits of the environment around it. For example, if the robot is in a small room, its state might include “can’t move fast” because of the limited space.

Imagine you have a toy robot named Robo. The different states of Robo can be understood in various ways. First, we can observe Robo and see that it’s moving, a state we can measure visually. Conversely, there are times when Robo is standing still and not moving, which is also a state. Robo’s state can be described by multiple dimensions: for instance, it could be moving (one state), carrying a toy (another state), and its battery level could be at 70% (a third state).These combined describe Robo’s overall state. Additionally, environmental constraints play a role; if Robo is in a small box, its state might include “limited space,” meaning it can’t move far or fast due to the confined area.

This way, we understand that a system state is all about describing what any system is doing and its condition at any given time, including what it can’t do because of its surroundings.

Understanding ‘State’ in System Engineering: An Analogy with Robots

A System is in a state when the values assigned to its atributes remain constant or steady for meaningful period of time ( Referenced from INSOSE Handbook, Kaposi and Myers, 2001)

Let me explain this statement in simple terms.

Imagine you have a robot that helps you clean your room. This robot has several attributes, such as its battery level, position in the room, and what task it’s currently doing (like vacuuming or dusting). A “state” is like a snapshot of the robot at a particular moment. For example, if the robot is in the corner of the room, its battery level is 80%, and it is vacuuming, that’s one state.

Now, if the robot stays in that corner, keeps its battery at 80%, and continues vacuuming for a while, it’s in a steady state. This means that these attributes (position, battery level, and task) aren’t changing much for a meaningful period of time. So, a system (like your robot) is in a state when the important attributes (like battery level, position, and task) stay steady or constant for a while.

In system engineering, a system is composed of various components and attributes that define its behavior and performance. When we say a system is in a state, we mean that the values of its key attributes remain constant or steady for a meaningful period of time. Imagine you have a power plant, which is a complex system with attributes like temperature, pressure, and energy output. When the power plant is operating smoothly, these attributes are within certain desired ranges. For example, let’s say the power plant’s temperature is 500°C, the pressure is 200 bar, and the energy output is 100 megawatts. If these values remain steady without significant fluctuation over time, we say the power plant is in a steady state.

In simpler terms, just like the robot staying in one corner and continuing to vacuum, a system (like a power plant) is in a steady state when its important characteristics (temperature, pressure, energy output) stay stable for a while. This stability allows engineers to predict and manage the system’s behavior effectively.

Understanding ‘Mode’ in System Engineering: An Analogy with Airplane

A mode refers to a broader operating condition or configuration of a system that can encompass several states. Modes define different ways the system can operate to achieve its goals, often involving different sets of states.

Example: Consider a Airplane. It has different modes such as “Ground,” “Takeoff,” and “Cruise” Each mode represents a different way the Airplane can operate and each mode will involve different states of the airplane’s components.

Tips to INCOSE ASEP Exam

• Understand what is system states and modes.
• Understand state variable
• Understand what causes the transition from one mode to another?