Glossary · Systems engineering and MBSE
System mode
German: Systemart
In systems engineering, a system mode is a state describing the technical configuration or overall operational condition of an integrated system. Examples are production, changeover, commissioning, degraded operation and shutdown.
- Integrated systems
- Systems engineering
- German source term
In one sentence
A system mode describes the overall condition of an integrated system, such as production, changeover or degraded operation, across all its machines.
Example
A bottling line switches to system mode “changeover”: filler and capper are in setting mode, the conveyors run at reduced speed and the upstream palletizer is stopped.
How it applies
- Integrated systems: Define the system modes and which operating mode each machine may be in during each system mode. Unlisted combinations should be prevented or detected.
- Transitions: Model the modes in a state model with defined transitions, conditions and responsible roles.
- Machine safety: A degraded mode is a system mode with reduced capability; its safety measures must be assessed like any other mode.
- Technical documentation: Operators need to know the current system mode and what it implies for each machine. Describe the modes in the line-level instructions, not only in machine manuals.
The German source term Systemart can also be read as “type of system”. In this glossary it means the mode or condition of the system, so use it with that definition when translating.
System mode vs. operating mode
An operating mode applies to a machine and governs permitted functions and access. A system mode describes the overall condition of the integrated system and constrains which operating modes are allowed.