Browsing by Author "Sega, Ronald, committee member"

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Open Access
Evaluation of a model-based approach to accrediting United States government information technology systems following the authorization to operate process
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Sanchez, Edan Christopher, author; Bradley, Thomas H., advisor; Borky, John M., committee member; Sega, Ronald, committee member; Zhao, Jianguo, committee member
This research project explores Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology as a modernized, alternative strategy to improve the United States Government's (USG) accreditation processes and procedures for accepting new/updated information systems. While the primary goal is to significantly accelerate the transition of advanced technology to operational environments, it is imperative that we take advantage of the potential benefits realized through the implementation of a model-based process. While this dissertation primarily focuses on defense systems within the USG domain, the principles discussed are applicable in a broader context. This research focuses on the application of MBSE to defense Information Technology (IT) systems, or simply Information Systems (IS) that requires an Authorization to Operate (ATO). Currently, the security accreditation process for obtaining an ATO for Government systems is primarily document-centric. This approach often leads to frequent schedule overruns, significantly increasing costs and negatively impacting stakeholders. This issue is particularly pronounced for large, software- and data-intensive systems, such as those utilized by the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence, and command and control (C2) operations. The complexity of authorization is significantly magnified when systems incorporate third-party applications requiring independent accreditation, creating cascading dependencies that impact overall system security and deployment timelines, as well as for real-time systems that must meet stringent cybersecurity requirements while adhering to strict process deadlines. Mission effectiveness is compromised when operators and end users experience delays in accessing essential tools. The trend toward implementing these types of IT systems is accelerating, highlighting the urgent need to enhance their authorization processes. The proposed approach aims to capture the existing ATO process using a formal Systems Modeling Language (SysML) model. This model will facilitate an analysis to identify bottlenecks, redundant activities, missing interfaces, and other areas of concern. Once the model is developed and analyzed, corrective actions and proposed improvements will be introduced to enhance the process model. The potential benefits will be quantified in terms of speed-to-operations, particularly regarding schedules, as well as improvements in consistency and efficiency throughout the end-to-end process, ultimately leading to a potential reduction in overall system costs. Furthermore, the anticipated gains will be validated through modeling and analysis of the enhanced process as applied to a representative IT system, also represented in SysML. This modeled IT system will reflect the cloud-centric environments currently found in operational contexts, utilizing approved tools and technologies available to development contractors. This research will assess the impact of MBSE on the ATO. It aims to measure MBSE's effectiveness in mitigating inconsistencies, streamlining system deployment timelines, enhancing quality, reducing costs, and delivering other advantages in this practical context. The conclusions drawn from this study will establish a framework for investing in the modernization of the ATO towards a systems-engineered, model-based approach, particularly within the realm of USG systems development. The model-based ATO process will facilitate integration with the federal Digital Engineering (DE) transformation as DE continues to broaden its presence within the federal systems engineering landscape.
Open Access
Hybrid MBSE-DevOps model for implementation in very small enterprises
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Simpson, Cailin R., author; Simske, Steven, advisor; Miller, Erika, committee member; Reisfeld, Brad, committee member; Sega, Ronald, committee member
This work highlights the challenge of implementing digital engineering (DE) practices, specifically model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and DevOps, in very small entities (VSEs) that deliver software products. VSEs often face unique challenges due to their limited resources and project scale. Various organizations have authored strategies for DE advancement, such as the Department of Defense's Digital Engineering Strategy and INCOSE's System Engineering 2035 that highlight the need for improved DE practices across the engineering fields. This work proposes a hybrid methodology named FlexOps, combining MBSE and DevOps, to address these challenges. The authors highlight the challenges faced by VSEs and emphasize that MBSE and DevOps adoption in VSEs requires careful consideration of factors like cost, skill availability, and customer needs. The motivation for the research stems from the difficulties faced by VSEs in implementing processes designed for larger companies. The authors aim to provide a stepping stone for VSEs to adopt DE practices through the hybrid FlexOps methodology, leveraging existing MBSE and DevOps practices while accommodating smaller project scales. This work emphasizes that VSEs supporting government contracts must also adopt DE practices to meet industry directives. The implementation of FlexOps in two case studies highlights its benefits, such as offering a stepping stone to DE practices, combining Agile, MBSE, and DevOps strategies, and addressing VSE-specific challenges. The challenges faced by VSEs in adopting DE practices may be incrementally improved by adopting a hybrid method: FlexOps. FlexOps was designed to bridge the gap between traditional practices and DE for VSEs delivering software products.
Open Access
Understanding fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicle use, design, and functionality
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Salisbury, Shawn, author; Bradley, Thomas, advisor; Sega, Ronald, committee member; Kirkpatrcik, Allan, committee member
The fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (FCPHEV) has been shown to be a promising vehicle architecture in terms of cost, emissions reduction, and reducing petroleum use. It combines a high power battery pack and a small fuel cell to make a zero emissions vehicle with all of the capabilities of current consumer vehicles. Previous FCPHEV studies have projected vehicle cost, emissions, and efficiency, but little work has been performed towards understanding the use, design, and functionality of the architecture. This study presents several topics which will help to advance the state of the FCPHEV. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, including FCPHEVs, can use two different sources of fuel depending upon how the vehicle is driven and charged. To quantify this fuel use, SAE J2841 establishes a utility factor method based upon transportation survey data that includes assumptions about vehicle use and battery charging habits. The utility factor model is an important tool for automakers, consumers, and researchers, and it is used by the EPA to determine the fuel economy of plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the Section A of this study, the utility factor model is examined and compared to data collected from over 1,400 Chevrolet Volts in order to assess its accuracy. Until now, there has been no large-scale set of vehicle data to which the model could be compared. Results show that the assumptions of the J2841 utility factor model are not representative of the driving behavior of this set of plug-in vehicles. A hydrogen fueled vehicle requires a high pressure gaseous fuel storage and delivery system that is very different than the fueling systems of current conventional vehicles. The design and execution of the system is critical to the safety and functionality of an FCPHEV, but previous literature on hydrogen fueled vehicles covers fuel systems in little detail. Section B of this study details the considerations that one must make when designing a high pressure hydrogen fuel system and provides an example of how those considerations were met for the FCPHEV built by Colorado State University in the EcoCAR 2 competition. The FCPHEV built for the EcoCAR 2 competition is the first of its kind to publish real-world driving data. Data taken from the vehicle during on-road testing is analyzed in Section C of this study to prove the FCPHEV concept and increase the understanding of overall system operation. The results of the driving tests demonstrate the viability of the FCPHEV and highlight its advantages over current zero emissions vehicle architectures.