Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Functional architecture
Also known as: function architecture, functional decomposition
German: Funktionale Architektur
In systems engineering, a functional architecture is a description of a system in terms of the functions it must perform, their decomposition into subfunctions and the flows of material, energy and information between them, independent of how the functions are implemented.
- System integration
In one sentence
A functional architecture describes what a system must do as functions, subfunctions and flows, independent of how they are implemented.
Example
The functional architecture of a labeler shows “feed containers,” “apply label,” “inspect label” and “reject faulty containers” with the product and data flows between them.
How it applies
- Systems engineering: A functional architecture helps check completeness of requirements and compare solution alternatives without committing to hardware. It is often modeled with SysML activity diagrams.
- Safety: Hazards and safety functions can be identified per function, before components are chosen, which supports early risk assessment.
- Documentation: Functional descriptions in technical documentation benefit from following the functional architecture, since readers think in functions (“how does the machine reject containers?”) rather than in components.
Functional vs. logical architecture
The functional architecture states what the system does. The Logical architecture groups functions into logical components with interfaces, still independent of specific products. The physical architecture then assigns real hardware and software. Keeping the three levels apart makes it easier to evaluate alternatives and to trace requirements through the design.