Learning Targets
- Identify structural, mechanical, electrical, and data/testing subsystems.
- Map how energy, motion, information, or forces move through the system.
- Plan interfaces where subsystems must connect correctly.
IED Unit 4 • Lesson 4.12
System Architecture and Subsystem Planning
Focus question: How do subsystems work together in an aerospace prototype?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Identify structural, mechanical, electrical, and data/testing subsystems. Map how energy, motion, information, or forces move through the system. Plan interfaces where subsystems must connect correctly.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
Use this page with the lesson presentation, your engineering notebook, and the tools or evidence assigned for Plan the System Architecture.
Success Looks Like
You can break a prototype into subsystems and explain how they interact.
LaunchLearnApplyCheckSubmit
Opening Prompt
How do subsystems work together in an aerospace prototype?
Connect your response to the decision, evidence, or quality standard required for Plan the System Architecture.
Reveal: useful engineering move
This lesson is ready to move forward when the evidence meets this standard: The architecture shows how information, energy, and motion move through the proposed system.
Core Skill
What We Are Practicing
A system is easier to design when it is broken into subsystems.
Interfaces between subsystems are common sources of failure.
Subsystem planning helps teams build, test, and troubleshoot more efficiently.
Your Task
Plan the System Architecture
Define how the structure, mechanism, power/control, and user interaction subsystems connect before detailed modeling or building.
- Identify each required subsystem.
- Create a block diagram showing inputs, connections, and outputs.
- Assign interfaces, responsibilities, and key dimensions or signals.
- Identify one integration risk to investigate.
Quality check: The architecture shows how information, energy, and motion move through the proposed system.
Lesson Interactive
Connect the Electromechanical Subsystems
Build the information and energy path from sensing to physical motion.
Required sequence
Sensor
→
Controller
→
Motor Driver
→
Motor + Mechanism
Follow the signal from sensing to decision, power switching, actuation, and mechanical output.
What You Will Submit
System Architecture Plan
Submission standard: The architecture shows how information, energy, and motion move through the proposed system.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 4.12 PowerPoint
Use the lesson slides for guided practice, interactive checks, and the exit ticket.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub for units, resources, certifications, and current course information.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Submit the evidence specified in the activity and your classroom assignment. The report below collects your notes, calculations, observations, and reflections; attach any required drawings, photos, CAD, or code separately.
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.