Assignment: System Integration and Test

The paper should be a maximum of 10 pages single-spaced, including the cover sheet with your name, class, date, course and section number, etc; this is a maximum page count-it can be less. Use suitable fonts no smaller than 12 point (except perhaps for footnotes, references, etc.). Use at least 1-inch margins all around. Note: all graphics and charts, if any, should be incorporated (inserted) directly into your paper (on a Word page) seamlessly, not attached separately in a different format or embedded in a program icon. The paper and all charts should form a single, continuous Word document (and print out as such). Number your answers to match the numbered questions. All of your work must be your own. Show how you calculated numerical solutions, if any, and cite references for quoted or paraphrased material.

(1) In the future, imagine the commercial production of large, complex systems for obtaining energy from laser-induced fusion, i.e., a laser fusion reactor (using either inertial confinement fusion or magnetic confinement fusion). Based on the way we have learned VVT methodology is tailored according to the system's size, complexity, and type, and extrapolated to the hypothetical laser fusion reactor, describe how the VVT methodology might be tailored for the production of these systems.

(2) Describe the typical life cycle of an unmanned air vehicle, such as the Predator or Reaper.

(3) Assume that the system of interest is a prototype solar-powered car, i.e., a small, lightweight car that seats two and is covered with efficient solar cells that are connected to a battery to store the electrical energy from the solar cells, and from which the vehicle obtains all of its energy. Design and describe a demonstration of this system that is the functional equivalent of testing it.

(4) For the solar-powered car in Question 3 above, define how you would evaluate each of the following metrics for product quality:

(a) Performance (how well does the product or service do what it is supposed to do)
(b) Aesthetics (appearance, feel, smell, taste)
(c) Conformance (how well does the product or service correspond to the customer's expectations)
(d) Safety (risk of injury or harm)
(e) Reliability (consistent performance)
(f) Durability (useful life)

(5) Provide examples of six systems where destructive testing is performed during VVT, and explain for each example why the destructive testing is needed and what it accomplishes.