🚀 Understanding the MCP Server: The Backbone of Model Context Protocol

Unlocking interoperability across the digital thread with the Model Context Protocol Server.

📘 What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging standard designed to enable interoperability between heterogeneous engineering tools. It’s part of a broader initiative to facilitate a digital thread across the lifecycle of systems — from concept and design to operation and sustainment.

The MCP focuses on creating a common interface for tools to exchange contextualized model data. Rather than replacing existing tools, it connects them via a standard protocol that supports:

1. Model traceability

2. Cross-domain linking

3. Lifecycle state tracking

4. Semantic interoperability

🧠 What is an MCP Server?

An MCP Server is the backend component that implements the Model Context Protocol. It acts as a context-aware broker that connects multiple engineering tools such as:

1. Requirements tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama)

2. Modeling tools (e.g., Cameo, Capella, Rhapsody)

3. PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill)

4. Simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink)

It enables these tools to exchange model data in a way that is semantically meaningful and traceable across domains and lifecycle stages.

---

🛠️ How Does the MCP Server Work?

At a high level, the MCP Server provides:

1. RESTful API Endpoints: Tools interact with the server using standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT).

2. Resource Representation: It defines how engineering artifacts like "Requirement", "Function", "Component", etc., are structured and referenced.

3. Contextual Linking: It maintains links between these artifacts, along with the context (e.g., version, status, rationale).

4. Security & Access Control: Implements OAuth2-based authorization and fine-grained permission controls.

---

📊 MCP Server Architecture Diagram

Here's a high-level diagram of how an MCP Server interacts with engineering tools:

Illustration: MCP Server facilitating communication between modeling, requirements, and PLM tools.

---

🔄 Typical Use Case

Scenario: Traceability from Requirements to Design

1. A systems engineer writes a requirement in DOORS.

2. A modeler creates a system model element in Cameo.

3. The MCP Server links the Cameo model element to the DOORS requirement.

4. A change in the requirement is reflected as an update suggestion in Cameo via MCP.

5. The simulation tool retrieves relevant model parameters and status via MCP.

✅ Result: Cross-tool traceability, change impact awareness, and a maintained digital thread.

---

🔐 MCP Server Implementation Examples

1. OpenMCTP: An open-source implementation for lightweight toolchains.

2. Intercax Syndeia MCP Adapter: For integrating SysML tools with PLM and ALM environments.

3. Siemens & Airbus Collaborations: Using MCP to link Teamcenter, Simulink, and other tools.

📦 MCP Resource Model (Simplified JSON Example)

{

  "id": "urn:mcp:requirement:REQ-123",

  "type": "Requirement",

  "title": "Flight control system response time",

  "context": {

    "version": "v1.2",

    "project": "FlightControl2025",

    "status": "Approved"

  },

  "links": [

    {

      "rel": "satisfies",

      "target": "urn:mcp:model:component:SYS-456"

    }

  ]

}

 

🧩 Benefits of Using an MCP Server

1. 🔗 Seamless Interoperability across toolchains

2. 🔄 Improved Change Management with bidirectional traceability

3. 📚 Lifecycle Integration from concept to disposal

4. 🧠 Enhanced Collaboration with shared model understanding

5. 🔒 Secure and Controlled Data Access