Chapter 1

Introduction – Nature
of Systems
CpE 523
Systems Analysis and Design

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 What is a System?
 A group of interacting, interrelated, and
interdependent elements forming a complex whole
 An assemblage or combination of functionally related
elements or parts forming a unitary whole, such as
river system or a transportation system.
 It includes physical elements and have useful
purposes, including systems associated with all kinds
of products, structures, and services as well as those
consist of a coordinated body of methods or a
complex scheme or plan of procedure.

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Parts of an Elephant

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 Systems Thinking
 A way of understanding reality that
emphasizes the relationships among a
system’s parts, rather than the parts
themselves.
 Concerned about interrelationships
among parts and their relationship to a
functioning whole
 Sees underlying patterns and structures

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 Elements of a System
Components – are the parts of the System.
Attributes – are the properties (characteristics,
configuration, qualities, powers, constraints,
and state) of the components, and of the
system as a whole.
Relationships – between pairs of linked
components are the result of engineering the
attributes of both components so that the
pair operates together effectively in
contributing to the system’s purposes.
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Key Terms
State – is the situation (condition or location) at a point in time
of the system, or of a system component, with regards to its
attributes and relationships.
Behavior – a connected series of changes in the state over
time.
Process – the set of all behaviors with their relative sequence
and timing.
Function – the purposeful action performed by a system. A
common system function is that of altering material, energy
or information.
Environment – everything that remains outside the boundaries
of the system. However, no system is completely isolated
from its environment.
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 Systems and Subsystems
The definition of a system is not complete without consideration
of its position in the hierarchy of systems. Every system is
made up of components, and many components can be broken
down into smaller components. If two hierarchical levels are
involved in a given system, the lower is conveniently called a
subsystem.
In any particular situation, it is important to define the system
under consideration by specifying its limits, boundaries and
scopes. Everything that remains outside the boundaries of the
system is considered to be the environment. However, no
system is completely isolated from its environment.
System thinking and systems viewpoint looks at a system from
the top down rather than from bottom up. Attention is first
directed to the system as a black box that interacts with
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 Classification of Systems
 Natural and Human-Made Systems
 Natural systems are those that came into being by natural
processes.
 Human-Made Systems are those in which human beings have
intervened through components, attributes and relationships.
 Human-modified system is a natural system into which a human
made system has been integrated as a subsystem.
 Physical and Conceptual Systems
 Physical System are those that manifest themselves in Physical
form.
 Conceptual Systems are those where symbols are use to represent
attributes of components. Ideas, plans, concepts, and hypothesis
are example of conceptual systems.

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 Classification of Systems
 Static and Dynamic Systems
 Static system – is one whose states do not change because it has
structural components but no operating or flow components as
exemplified by a bridge.
 Dynamic system – exhibits behaviors because it combines structural
components with operating and/or flow components. An example is
a school, combining a building, students, teachers, books, curricula,
and knowledge.
 Closed and Open Systems
 Closed system is one that does not interact significantly with its
environment provides only a context for the system. It usually
exhibit the characteristics of equilibrium resulting from internal
rigidity that maintains the system in spite of influences from the
environment.

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 Classification of Systems
 Open system allows information, energy and matter to cross its
boundaries. It interacts with their environment, examples being
plants, ecological systems, and business organizations. They
exhibit the characteristics of steady state, wherein dynamic
interaction of system elements adjust to changes in the
environment. Because of this steady state, open systems are self
regulatory and often self adaptive.

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 Foundations of Systems
 Cybernetics:

Theory
Was first used in 1947 by Norbert Wiener. It comes from the
Greek word meaning “steersman” and is a cognate of a
governor. In its narrow view, cybernetics is equivalent to
servo theory in engineering. In its broad view, it may
encompass much of natural science. It has to do with self
regulation, whether mechanical, electromechanical, electrical
or biological.
 The concept of feedback is central to cybernetic theory. All
goal seeking behavior is controlled by the feedback of
corrective information about deviation from a desired state.
 system feedback, information; differences (that make a
difference); human – machine analogy; inclusion of the
observer and the observed in the system
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 Foundations of Systems
Theory
 General Systems Theory:
Ludwig von Bertalanffy used the phrase “general system

theory” around 1950.
 It is concerned with developing systematic framework for
describing general relationships in the natural and human-
made world. The need for the general theory of systems
arises out of the problem of communication among
various disciplines.
 Systemology
 the science of systems or their formation
 Disciplines in science and the humanities developed
largely by what society permitted scientist and humanist
to investigate.
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 System Boundaries

 Shows what is inside and outside of the

system
 Geographical (location)
 Organization (department, unit or function)

 Physical (money, material, information)

 Conceptual (goals, mission, purpose, rules)

 Intangibles (perceptions, awareness, models)

 Natural or man-made

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System Relationships (Interconnections)

 Connections and exchanges among

system parts, parts and the whole, and
the whole and its environment
 Flows of information
 Flows of funding

 Client referrals

 Collaborative partnerships

 Family, community, and social networks

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 Players in the system game:
 Stakeholders
A stakeholder is any person who has an interest in an
existing or new information system.
 Stakeholders can be technical or nontechnical workers.
 For information systems, the stakeholders can be classified
as:
 System owners
 System users
 Systems analysts
 System designers
 System builders
 IT vendors and consultants

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 Players in the system game
 System owners are the information system’s sponsors and
chief advocates. They are usually responsible for funding
the project to develop, operate, and maintain the
information system.
 System users are the people who use or are affected by
the information system on a regular basis—capturing,
validating, entering, responding to, storing, and exchanging
data and information. A common synonym is client.
 System designers translate system users’ business
requirements and constraints into technical solutions. They
design the computer files, databases, inputs, outputs,
screens, networks, and programs that will meet the system
users’ requirements.
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 Players in the system game
 System builders construct the information system
components based on the design specifications from the
system designers. In many cases, the system designer and
builder for a component are one and the same.
 Systems analyst studies the problems and needs of an
organization to determine how people, data, processes,
communications, and information technology can best
accomplish improvements for the business. When
information technology is used, the analyst is responsible
for: the efficient capture of data from its business source,
the flow of that data to the computer, the processing and
storage of that data by the computer, and the flow of useful
and timely information back to the business and its people.
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 Players in the system game
 Business analyst is a systems analyst that specializes in
business problem analysis and technology-independent
requirements analysis. A programmer/analyst (or
analyst/programmer) includes the responsibilities of both
the computer programmer and the systems analyst. Other
synonyms for systems analyst include: Systems consultant,
Systems architect, Systems engineer, Information engineer,
Systems integrator.

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EMBEDDED
SYSTEMS

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 Definition
 embedded system
 A combination of hardware and software which together
form a component of a larger machine.

 An example of an embedded system is a microprocessor

that controls an automobile engine.

 An embedded system is designed to run on its own

without human intervention, and may be required to
respond to events in real time.

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Applications
Areas

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• TV Application Areas
• stereo
• remote control
• phone / mobile phone
• refrigerator
• microwave
• washing machine
• electric tooth brush
• oven / rice or bread cooker
• watch
• alarm clock
• electronic musical instruments
• electronic toys (stuffed animals,handheld toys, pinballs, etc.)
• medical home equipment (e.g. blood
pressure, thermometer)
• [PDAs?? More like standard computer system]

Consumer Products

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 Application Areas
 Medical Systems
 patient monitoring systems, injection systems, intensive care
units, …
 Office Equipment
 printer, copier, fax, …
 Tools
 multimeter, oscilloscope, line tester, GPS, …
 Banking
 ATMs, statement printers, …
 Transportation
 (Planes/Trains/[Automobiles] and Boats)
 Radar, traffic lights, signalling systems

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 Application Areas
 Automobiles
 engine management, trip computer, cruise control,
immobilizer, car alarm,
 airbag, ABS, …
 Building Systems
 elevator, heater, air conditioning, lighting, key card
entries, locks, alarm systems, …
 Agriculture
 feeding systems, milking systems, …
 Space
 satellite systems, …
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