Welcome Systems Engineering Jedi
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the INCOSE Atlanta Chapter newsletter, where we're celebrating a galactic array of systems engineering feats and innovations while also honoring Star Wars Day on May the 4th (be with you)! In this issue, we pay tribute to the amazing technology and engineering that has appeared in the Star Wars movies since they first graced the silver screen, all while witnessing the symbolic passing of the lightsaber as our chapter transitions to new leadership. We'll explore the cutting-edge research and collaborations happening at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and take a journey through the engineering marvels of Georgia and South Carolina, drawing parallels to the awe-inspiring achievements of that galaxy far, far away. So sit back, grab your favorite beverage (blue milk, anyone?), and join us as we navigate the stellar landscape of systems engineering in the Galactic South.
Welcome to the INCOSE Atlanta Chapter
The Atlanta Chapter of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) was formed in 2005 through the collaborative efforts of local INCOSE members from Atlanta, with assistance from members in South Carolina and Alabama. It has been an active chapter, consistently earning Silver and Bronze Circle Awards for its contributions and engagement within INCOSE and the broader systems engineering community. The chapter holds monthly meetings, including talks, workshops, and discussions on the state of systems engineering at the national level. Its membership comprises representatives from diverse sectors such as aerospace, energy, academia, and government, ranging from undergraduate students to seasoned systems engineering professionals. The chapter's regular meeting locations are Kennesaw State University in Marietta and Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
June Meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 6-7:30pm US Eastern time
Generative AI and Large Language Models for Systems Engineering:
An Interactive Workshop
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This session will be an Interactive workshop on the use of chatGPT and other large language models and generative AI in systems engineering.
- Prompt engineering
- Application architecture
- Embeddings and vector stores
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
Participants are encouraged to bring application ideas for discussion and live prototyping.
Presenter Bio:
Barclay R. Brown is Associate Director for AI Research at Collins Aerospace, a division of RTX. Before joining Collins, he was an Engineering Fellow in Raytheon Missiles and Defense, focusing on MBSE, and prior to that he was the Global Solution Executive for the Aerospace and Defense Industry at IBM. Dr. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, two master’s degrees in Psychology and Business and a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He is author of Engineering Intelligent Systems, published by Wiley, and is a certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), certified Systems Engineering Quality Manager, and former CIO of INCOSE.
The Passing of the Lightsaber: INCOSE Atlanta Chapter Transitions Leadership
David Takacs, Immediate Past President
The INCOSE Atlanta Chapter Elections concluded in January, and the results are in. Congratulations to Jeremy and the rest of the Atlanta leadership team! As the outgoing leader, I feel like Obi-Wan Kenobi passing the symbolic lightsaber to a new generation of Jedi Knights. Jeremy and I are working through the transition, ensuring a smooth transfer of power, so you will be seeing communications from him very soon. The Atlanta Chapter is growing, and I am confident that it is in good hands with this team of leaders, who will undoubtedly guide the chapter to new heights in the galaxy of systems engineering.
Now let’s get to know some of our new officers!
Jeremy Doerr
Jeremy has worked as an MBSE researcher at Georgia Tech Research Institute since 2019. He has a breadth of systems and software experience across several domains, including certifying new and novel flight deck technologies in commercial aerospace, and performing software automation and Lean Six Sigma work in healthcare logistics. Jeremy graduated from Georgia Tech's Professional Master's in Applied Systems Engineering (PMASE) program in 2020 and now serves as instructional faculty for the program. His current research interests include practical, results-oriented implementations of digital engineering tools and environments, as well as formal methods applied to system modeling, focusing on temporal semantics.
Ray Borough
Ray is a Systems Engineer/requirements manager with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA in the Advanced Development Programs (ADP) organization. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering with Biomedical Option from California State University Long Beach, CA. and obtained his MS in Systems Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University (which is now KSU). Prior to moving to Marietta, he was a systems engineer in Palmdale CA on ADP programs, and worked in Instrumentation Flight Test Engineering on the F35 program. During F-22 development he worked on several system designs and integration system functions in Marietta. Ray has 23 years of experience at LM, and 13 years of earlier experience at Northrop Grumman.
Robert Sarkissian
Mr. Robert Sarkissian is the Director for Aerospace and Defense Systems Sector at Cadence Design Systems. He holds a BS in Physics from Florida Tech. His career spans some 40 years in both the Electronic Design Automation Industry and Systems Engineering. He has devised and provided engineering solutions based on MBSE principles for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and their Defense Business, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, L3Harris, Raytheon, the Air Force, ARMY, and NAVY, DARPA, and others. He has also championed many University Programs associated to both R&D and Workforce Development. He currently is leading his company’s efforts in the heavily promoted CHIPS and SCIENCES ACT (2022) and is seeking the introduction of the convergence of System of Systems correlated M&S to microelectronics architectures to help compress the develop and verification cycle of complex systems.
Featured Member Organization
GTRI's Galactic Pursuit of Harmony
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The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has been actively involved in advancing systems engineering principles and methodologies in 2024. One of their key initiatives is the Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering course, designed to equip professionals with the essential tools and techniques for conceptual design, systems analysis, and project management throughout the systems lifecycle.
The course covers a comprehensive range of topics, including systems engineering processes, system decomposition and definition, design iteration and implementation, as well as systems engineering planning and management. Participants gain hands-on experience through practical application to realistic case study scenarios, enabling them to tackle complex engineering systems challenges effectively.
Additionally, GTRI researchers have been at the forefront of addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems. In a recent study presented at the 2024 Network and Distributed Systems Security Symposium, they unveiled a new class of malware called "web-based PLC malware" that can exploit browser-based control systems in industrial facilities. This groundbreaking research highlights the potential risks posed by interconnected systems and the need for enhanced security measures to protect vital infrastructure.
Through its multidisciplinary expertise and industry collaborations, GTRI continues to drive innovation in systems engineering, cybersecurity, and various other domains, contributing to the development of practical solutions for complex challenges faced by government and industry partners.
Citations:
Engineering Feats in the Galactic South: Georgia and South Carolina's 2024 Innovations
In a galaxy not so far away, the engineering prowess of Georgia and South Carolina continues to shine brightly in 2024. From cutting-edge research to groundbreaking projects, these states are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, echoing the innovative spirit of a certain rebel alliance.
At the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), researchers have been making strides in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sensor technology. Their collaboration with Norfolk Southern unveiled Georgia's first digital train inspection portal, utilizing advanced machine vision and AI to identify mechanical issues on moving trains, akin to the droid-assisted maintenance of starships.
Meanwhile, GTRI's partnership with the National Security Agency aims to enhance the trustworthiness of AI for high-stakes applications, ensuring these powerful systems are as reliable as a well-maintained hyperdrive. Additionally, their work on cloud-top discharges above thunderstorms promises to shed light on these mysterious atmospheric phenomena, much like studying the ionized trails of starfighters.
Beyond GTRI, the Georgia Institute of Technology hosted the 2024 Atlanta Science Festival, inviting visitors to explore a wide range of STEAM activities, from robotics to nanotechnology, reminiscent of the diverse technologies found in a galaxy far, far away. The College of Engineering also made headlines with its semiconductor research, training the next generation of innovators to push the boundaries of computing power, perhaps even rivaling the capabilities of the Death Star's main reactor.
Not to be outdone, South Carolina's engineering marvels have also captured attention. Clemson University's Composites Center unveiled a new lightweight, high-strength material inspired by the exoskeletons of certain galactic creatures, promising applications in aerospace and automotive industries.
As these states continue to push the limits of engineering and technology, one can't help but draw parallels to the awe-inspiring feats achieved in that galaxy long ago and far, far away. Whether it's developing advanced sensors, pioneering new materials, or harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the engineers of Georgia and South Carolina are truly making their mark on this galactic plane.
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About the Newsletter: Human-AI Teaming
This newsletter was created by a combination of humans and AIs. Articles were written by humans and also by OpenAI GPT-4 and Perplexity.ai. Images were created using OpenAI DALLE-3 and are hosted on sirv.com which also created the HTML image links. Custom Python programming was used to assemble the articles and links with custom prompting for final assembly using OpenAI GPT-4 and Anthropic Claude 3 to create the final layout in HTML, and then rendered in Outlook and web browsers. It takes a system!