Mastering Digital Twins with ABoT Framework

This technical report presents the concept of digital twins and introduces the Authoritative Broker of Truth (ABoT) framework for cross-disciplinary simulation and model-based system engineering. It defines a digital twin as a virtual representation of real-world entities and processes, emphasizing the importance of synchronization and coherence throughout the digital twin lifecycle. The report outlines the core processes involved in building and evolving a digital twin, including design, simulation, analysis, connection, and evolution. It also discusses the Authoritative Source of Truth (ASoT), which serves as a data repository for the digital twin, detailing its structural, configuration, and storage functions. Furthermore, the report highlights the necessity of Validation, Verification, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) in the development of digital twins, ensuring that they adapt to changes in both the physical counterpart and the virtual models. A case study is provided to illustrate the application of these concepts in determining the necessary hardware for over-the-air television reception.