Subsystem Interaction
Subsystem Interaction
Your system is going to be made up of mulitple sub-systems. Each of these relies on the other for the system to operate effecively. A sub-system rarely operates in isolation — its behaviour affects, and is affected by, other parts of the system.
Understanding how your sub-systems interact is essential for designing reliable, safe, and efficient systems.
What is a sub-system interaction?
A sub-system interaction occurs when:
- a sub-system provides an input to another
- a sub-system controls, enables, or limits another
- the output of one sub-system becomes feedback for the system
These interactions can involve:
- Energy, such as electrical or mechanical energy being transformed
- Information, such as input signals, data, or logic
In an RC car, your controller sends a radio signal to the vehicle, which interprets the radio data. This in turn drives the motor, which uses a gear train to drive the axle, to send rotary motion to the wheels. If any sub-system fails to pass on the correct interaction, the system will fail.
Understanding subsystem interaction
It is important to understand how your subsystems interact to avoid system failure.
You should anticipate the interactions of your subsystems, and not just build each sub-system without considering the next.