P1_PCXD Physical Context Definition Viewpoint

Domain	Aspect	Maturity
Physical	Context & Exchange	released

Purpose

The Physical Context Definition Viewpoint identifies the various contexts the SOI is used in, along with the associated external entities sharing a physical interface with the system. For each context, the applicable environmental conditions shall be defined. The physical context helps identify the interface requirements needed to integrate a system into its environment in a given context.

Applicability

The Physical Context Definition Viewpoint supports the “Design Definition Process” activities of the INCOSE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING HANDBOOK 2023 [§2.3.5.5] and contributes to the artifacts “System Design Description” and “System Interface Definition”.

Supported Processes

• Design Definition ProcessISO 15288:2023[6.4.5]

Supported Information Items

• System design descriptionSEHB V5[Appendix E]
• System interface definition SEHB V5[Appendix E]
• System Viewpoints, views and modelsSEHB V5[Appendix E]
• System element descriptionSEHB V5[Appendix E]

Presentation

A block definition diagram (BDD) depicting the elements available in a specific context. At least one BDD is used per identified context featuring

• one block representing the Physical System, i.e., the system of interest
• one block representing the specific Physical System Context
• several blocks representing Physical Context Elements such as Physical User, Physical External System, and Physical Environment that are present in the Physical System Context
• composition relationships attaching the Physical Context Elements and the Physical System to the Physical System Context block

Stakeholder

• Acquirer
• Customer
• IV&V Engineer
• Safety Expert
• Security Expert
• Supplier
• System Architect

Concern

• Which are the external physical entities the system interacts with in the given context?
• Which are the given contexts the system is embedded and utilized in?
• Which interface partners does the system have?

Exposed Concepts

The Diagram shows the concepts exposed by the viewpoint, and related concepts if necessary.

The Table shows the concepts exposed by the viewpoint, and related concepts if necessary.

Concept	Documentation
Physical System Context	Specifies the fact that a context for a System of Interest is defined on Physical Level.
Physical SOI Role	Specifies the fact that a Physical SOI exists in a given Physical System Context.
Physical User	The Physical User is the representation for a human in the physical domain, outside the SOI scope, interacting with the SOI.
Physical External System	The Physical External System in the Physical Domain, outside the SOI scope, interacting with the SOI. E.g. power grid, mobile network, fresh water system (in a house).
Physical SOI	Represents the Physical SOI on Physical Level.
Physical Environment	The Physical Environment in the Physical Domain, outside the SOI scope, interacting with the SOI. E.g. air, dirt, sun, road.
Physical Context Element Role	Specifies the fact that a Physical Context Element exists in a given Physical System Context.

Realization of exposed Concepts

The Diagram shows the realization of exposed concepts.

The Table shows the realization of exposed concepts.

Concept	Realization
Physical System Context	SAF_PhysicalContext
Physical SOI Role	SAF_PhysicalContextRole
Physical User	SAF_PhysicalUser
Physical External System	SAF_PhysicalExternalSystem
Physical SOI	SAF_PhysicalSystem
Physical Environment	SAF_PhysicalEnvironment
Physical Context Element Role	SAF_PhysicalContextRole

Related Viewpoints

Required Viewpoints

Recommended Viewpoints

Example