Engineering Smarter Mobility with MBSE in Automotive Engineering: Vietsol’s Workflow with Capella, Sim4Sys & Virtual Bench

MBSE in automotive engineering is a transformative approach that enhances system design, analysis, and validation. By creating a cohesive flow from concept to simulation, MBSE promotes traceability, reduces integration risks, and enables rapid iteration in complex environments like vehicle software and embedded systems.

In this article, we share how MBSE in automotive engineering is applied within a reference workflow using Capella (OBEO), Sim4Sys Designer, and Virtual Bench by CIL4Sys — tools that Vietsol explored in a project centered around a Valet Parking System scenario (provided by CIL4Sys Hub). This collaboration validated an integrated toolchain’s ability to translate stakeholder intent into structured, testable models.

Building the MBSE Foundation for Valet Parking

MBSE in Automotive Modeling for Valet Parking

Operational Analysis (OA)

Using the ARCADIA methodology within Capella, we structured the system through four core architectural layers. The Operational Analysis layer captures stakeholder expectations and external interactions.

Key External Actors:

• Driver: Initiates commands (e.g., park, speed control, or mode changes).
• Parking System: Includes infrastructure (e.g., sensors, gate controls, barrier signals).
• Environment: Provides physical context (e.g., lighting, weather).

Core Operational Capabilities/Use Cases:

• Speed management and control
• Obstacle detection and avoidance
• Autonomous navigation to a parking spot

System Analysis (SA)

In the System Analysis layer, operational needs are refined into black-box system functions. This includes:

• Modeling functional exchanges between external actors and the system (Driver ↔ Vehicle ↔ Parking/Environment)
• Establishing traceability for high-level capabilities and their functional responsibilities

Logical and Physical Architecture

We progressed to mapping black-box functions to real-world components. This was done by modeling the logical and physical implementation:

• Components such as Dashboard, Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), Steering Wheel, and Pedal were linked to their corresponding system functions.

Once these architectural elements were in place, we transitioned the model to Sim4Sys Designer.

MBSE Visualizing with Simulation

In Sim4Sys Designer, we:

• Developed sequence diagrams for critical scenarios, such as obstacle detection or speed changes.
• Automatically generated state machines from sequences to ensure behavioral consistency.
• Verified the coherence between functional interactions and dynamic system behaviors.

This shift from static to dynamic modeling helps identify mismatches early in the system development lifecycle.

Simulation was powered by the CIL4Sys Virtual Bench, which enabled us to:

• Emulate real-world scenarios with precise event timing, actor interaction, and system response.
• Validate system behavior across edge cases — without relying on physical hardware.
• Ensure operational completeness and behavioral accuracy in both nominal and degraded modes.

This visualization proved instrumental for early-stage debugging and functional verification.

MBSE Specifying Requirements Automatically

We leveraged toolchain automation to generate detailed system requirements:

• System and functional specifications were derived automatically from the architecture and behavior models.
• This reduced manual errors and maintained consistency across documents, as every spec was traceable to its source model.

The seamless flow from concept to specification illustrates how MBSE can transform engineering productivity.

Why ARCADIA Method Matters

ARCADIA (Architecture Analysis and Design Integrated Approach) is a structured, model-based engineering method developed by Thales to support system, hardware, and software architecture design. It is particularly effective for embedded systems and complex, multi-domain engineering challenges. The method promotes a clear separation of concerns across different abstraction layers, enabling traceability, validation, and consistent decision-making across system stakeholders. ARCADIA works seamlessly with tools like Capella and facilitates alignment between user needs, operational context, and technical solutions.

In practice, ARCADIA guides engineering teams through a progressive modeling flow:

• Capturing operational needs and external actor interactions
• Defining high-level system capabilities and usage scenarios
• Refining those into system and logical architectures
• Mapping architectures to physical components and behavioral models

The result is a transparent, consistent, and testable systems architecture that ensures the final design aligns with functional, technical, and business goals.

The ARCADIA method, developed by Thales, is a well-structured, domain-independent methodology that:

• Encourages collaboration between systems engineers, architects, and stakeholders
• Ensures traceability from operational needs to implementation
• Is tool-agnostic, but works exceptionally well with Capella

For projects requiring precise architectural partitioning and stakeholder alignment, ARCADIA forms a solid foundation.

Vietsol’s Vision with MBSE in Automotive Engineering

Our implementation of the Valet Parking System not only validated MBSE’s capacity to model complex system interactions but also demonstrated its scalability to broader domains. The success of this project revealed the significant potential for reusability in other autonomous and semi-autonomous functions — from automated lane changing to parking assistance and low-speed maneuvering.

Vietsol is now actively exploring how similar MBSE workflows can be integrated into:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Electric Vehicle (EV) system modeling
• Over-the-air (OTA) update architecture design

By applying MBSE early in the design process, we empower OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to:

• Predict system behavior under varied conditions
• Improve requirement traceability
• Reduce rework during integration phases

As we engage in collaborative R&D across Southeast Asia, our goal is clear: to transform digital engineering maturity in the region and help organizations deliver safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility solutions.

Our mission at Vietsol is to not only adopt cutting-edge methodologies like MBSE, but to tailor them to the needs of Southeast Asia’s automotive ecosystem.

With this Valet Parking project, we:

• Demonstrated how toolchains like Capella, Sim4Sys, and Virtual Bench can coexist in one coherent workflow
• Reduced the engineering cycle while improving the quality of design validation

As we move forward, we continue exploring model-based design for safety-critical functions, such as ADAS and EV propulsion systems.

Suggested Links

• Capella by OBEO
• CIL4Sys Virtual Bench
• ARCADIA Method Overview

Contributors

Nguyen Hung Vy is the Team Leader of the Systems Engineering / Model-Based Systems Engineering (SE/MBSE) team at Vietsol Co., Ltd. He graduated from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, majoring in Control Engineering and Automation.

With nearly two years of dedicated experience in SE/MBSE, Vy has been actively engaged in the Automotive domain. His contributions span the development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including Rear Parking Assist and Occupant Monitoring System — aligned with global safety protocols such as NCAP 2026.

He is proficient in methodologies such as ARCADIA, UML, and SysML, and well-versed in modeling tools like IBM Rhapsody and OBEO Capella for stakeholder analysis and system architecture. In addition, Vy applies application lifecycle management (ALM) tools such as IBM DOORS Next Generation and Siemens Polarion for requirements engineering.

Vy is highly motivated to continue his professional journey in MBSE, with a clear ambition to apply model-based approaches across key industries, fostering innovation, traceability, and engineering transformation through digital workflows.

Call to Action

Interested in implementing MBSE for your automotive project?
Let Vietsol help accelerate your system design and reduce time-to-validation with our usage-driven, model-based approach.

📩 Contact our system engineering team for a custom demo or consultation.