Continuous agile cyber–physical systems architectures based on digital twins

Modern cyber–physical systems by the most part are large-scale multilevel distributed heterogeneous systems consisting of elements of different physical nature, built using Internet of Things platforms and are characterized by a high level of structural and behavioral (architectural) variability. Managing such systems and keeping them in working condition throughout their lifetime is a difficult task. The proposed article discusses one of the possible approaches to solving this problem, based on the use of well-known continuous and agile architecture paradigms. However, there are currently no effective mechanisms for implementing these paradigms. The proposed article discusses one of the possible approaches to the implementation of mechanisms of continuous agile architectures based on the use of digital twins and proposes a reference architecture of a run time dynamic digital twin. A distinctive feature of the proposed approach is the use of a continuum of digital twins with built-in dynamic models of the observed system, which are built in real time based on information about system events. The initial models are built on the basis of models used in previous system lifecycle phases. The following results are received: (i) an approach to the implementation of the continuous agile architecture paradigm through the use of dynamic digital twin is proposed; (ii) a generalized three-level model of the life cycle of the continuous agile architecture is proposed; (iii) a reference architecture of a dynamic digital twin is proposed; (iv) a system of models focused on the use as part of a dynamic digital twin is proposed. The suggested approach can be used for management of heterogeneous multilevel cyber–physical systems with high level of structural and behavioral variability.