Towards a Modular IoT System Architecture for Rural Aqueducts Using Model Based Systems Engineering

Rural aqueducts play a vital role in sustaining the communities they serve by managing the essential water resource. A common challenge for rural aqueducts is related to water loss and rudimentary monitoring methods. Internet of Things (IoT) enabled systems offer a promising solution to improve water management, yet their design complexity and costs often exceed technical and financial capacities in rural aqueducts. This study proposes a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to develop a modular IoT architecture tailored to rural aqueducts. Using the ARCADIA methodology and the Capella modeling tool, the process translates informal user needs into structured requirements and logical system designs. The resulting architectures are modular, adaptable, and aligned with enduser conditions. The methodology is accessible enough to be implemented by undergraduate students, positioning academic institutions as effective intermediaries for technology transfer. By formalizing needs and systematically guiding architecture development, MBSE offers a structured pathway to create IoT solutions for water monitoring and loss prevention. This approach provides a scalable, explainable framework to support the modernization of rural aqueduct systems.