NetGAP: A Graph-Grammar approach for concept design of networked platforms with extra-functional requirements

During the concept design of complex networked systems, concept developers have to assure that the choice of hardware modules and the topology of the target platform will provide adequate resources to support the needs of the application. For example, future-generation aerospace systems need to consider multiple requirements, with many trade-offs, foreseeing rapid technological change and a long time span for realization and service. For that purpose, we introduce NetGAP, an automated 3-phase approach to synthesize network topologies and support the exploration and concept design of networked systems with multiple requirements including dependability, security, and performance. NetGAP represents the possible interconnections between hardware modules using a graph grammar and uses a Monte Carlo Tree Search optimization to generate candidate topologies from the grammar while aiming to satisfy the requirements. We apply the proposed approach to the synthetic version of a realistic avionics application use case and show the merits of the solution to support the early-stage exploration of alternative candidate topologies. The method is shown to vividly characterize the topology-related trade-offs between requirements stemming from security, fault tolerance, timeliness, and the "cost" of adding new modules or links. Finally, we discuss the flexibility of using the approach when changes in the application and its requirements occur.