What is Physical Layer in ArchiMate?
The Technology Layer has been extended with elements for modeling the physical world; for example, manufacturing, logistics, and other physical environments. The Figure below shows an example of physical elements.
Note that:
- All the elements shown in the example except for Path, are new in the ArchiMate 3.0 Specification, and Path has been renamed from Communication Path and its meaning extended to allow it to integrate with physical elements.
- An Assembly Line, modeled as equipment, and installed at a facility Manufacturing Plant, makes use of materials Pre-Assembled Circuit Board, Internal Antenna, and Plastic Case to produce material Vehicle Telematics Appliance.
- The appliance, initially located at the Manufacturing Plant facility, is subsequently transported to the facilities National Distribution Center and Local Distribution Center, making use of the distribution networks Overseas Shipping and Local Trucking. These distribution networks together realize the path Intermodal Freight.
- No separate physical behavior elements have been introduced in the ArchiMate 3.0 Specification.
- Rather, the behavior elements from the Technology Layer (technology function, process, interaction, service, and event) are used to model the behavior of all nodes, including physical equipment.
- Since equipment is often computer-controlled, or used in other ways having a close relationship to IT, the behavior can be described in
- An integral way using the existing technology behavior concepts.
- These concepts can also be used to describe the behavior of sensors and the connected devices that make up the Internet of Things (IoT).