Issues

The unprecedented development in means of communication has currently resulted in the large-scale interconnection of autonomous technological systems that can collaborate, or be used conjointly, to carry out certain tasks. Thus we are observing the emergence of highly-organized meta-systems whose components are themselves systems. One speaks of “systems of systems” (SoS).

The following characteristics can be used to distinguish between the notions of SoS and that of a system :

• Autonomy of the component systems which conserve, within the SoS, the capacity to perform certain tasks in a non-supervised and non-coordinated manner, in order to realize common objectives ;
• Upgradability of the configuration and connectivity of the overall system
• Diversity and heterogeneity of the component systems
• Geographic distribution of the component systems
• Emergent behavior, not defined a priori, of the overall system

An SoS is therefore a complex system of a particular type, created by the systematic and dynamic assembly of various interacting subsystems. For example, an automobile is a complex system, whereas a fleet of vehicles (controlled or autonomous) communicating with each other and with the road infrastructure by way of an ad-hoc mobile network (VANET) is a SoS whose component systems are the vehicles and the infrastructure elements (sensors, control and road information systems, etc.). Although the design, analysis and management of technological systems of systems are widely considered to be fundamental issues, the theoretical tools for addressing them appear to be very limited.

The LABEX MS2T project proposes to take up the interdisplinary challenge, drawing on :

• The scientific skills of Heudiasyc, covering a wide spectrum of information and communications sciences (control, data fusion, network algorithms, optimization and scheduling)
• Biomechanical and Bioengineering (BMBI) laboratory will provide a better understanding of living systems and diseases on various scales and lead to the development of new therapeutic, diagnostic and treatment assessment tools
• Roberval laboratory : all the Unit’s digital and experimental components in mechanics and acoustics will contribute to the success of relevant research into the testing and design of mechanical systems

More broadly, the research project of the UTC’s SHIC research federation « Heterogeneous Systems in Interaction » (federation with the CNRS, FR SHIC 3273) involves the study of complex and heterogeneous systems in a multi-disciplinary approach among the information and communications sciences, and technologies and engineering sciences. Finally, the UTC-CNRS Collegium also offers the potential for research, education, and value-enhancement.