Evaluation of Techniques to Describe Device Complexity in Pre and Post Design Stages

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Mountain ◽  
Matt R. Bohm ◽  
Marie K. Riggs
Keyword(s):  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Product Complexity ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Design Cycle ◽  
Realization Complexity ◽  
High Level

Electro-Mechanical device complexity exists in everyday items from cell phones to automobiles to vacuum cleaners. Generally, product complexity is one of the least quantifiable characteristics in the design cycle with arguably some of the greatest implications. A high level of device complexity carries a negative connotation and is usually considered an attribute a designer should attempt to mitigate. Alternatively, a low level of device complexity may induce designers and marketers to question a product’s usefulness. Whether complexity is a necessary aspect of a design or a hindrance needing to be minimized or eliminated, depends upon how complexity is framed. Some instances in literature attempt to measure complexity yet there is no unified measure that captures the complexity of a product or system during design phases or upon product/system realization. Complexity is defined in many ways, at different levels of abstraction, and different stages of design therefore, becoming highly contextual and subjective at best. An established and repeatable methodology for calculating complexity of existing products in the marketplace is necessary. Once a measure of complexity is agreed upon at the post design stage we can look to earlier phases in design to see whether insights are observable. Identifying complexity early in the design cycle is paramount to strategic resource allocation. This study considers the Generalized Complexity Index (GCI) measure put forth by Jacobs [1] and expands upon it to include functional modeling as a key component in determining an indicative complexity metric. Functional modeling is a method used to abstract system or product specifications to a general framework that represents a function based design solution. Complexity metrics are developed at the functional and completed design levels and used for comparison. Thirty common household products retrieved from an online design repository [2] as well as seven senior capstone design projects were evaluated using the GCI. A modification to the GCI equation is proposed and to gain a relative scale of complexity within the data, a ranked complexity metric was developed and utilized. The magnitude of the ranked complexity metric was only indicative of hierarchical status of a product within the data set and therefore is not comparable to GCI values. Though Jacobs GCI worked well in his study, the GCI does not represent a meaningful complexity measure when applied to the data in this study. This study is an initial attempt to apply an independent data set to Jacobs GCI model with perhaps greater implications, with respect to products, that complexity is multifaceted and is not accurately represented by only interconnectedness, multiplicity, and diversity.

scholarly journals A bridge to systems thinking in engineering design: An examination of students’ ability to identify functions at varying levels of abstraction

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Tomko ◽  
Jacob Nelson ◽  
Robert L. Nagel ◽  
Matthew Bohm ◽  
Julie Linsey
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Functional Modeling ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Student Responses ◽  
Abstract Function ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Level Function ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Function ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach

AbstractThis paper aims to situate functional abstraction in light of systems thinking. While function does not extensively appear in systems thinking literature, the literature does identify function as part of systems thinking that enables us to recognize and connect that function has a role in building a systems thinking approach for students. A systems thinking approach is valuable for students since it helps them view a system holistically. In this research, we measure how well students are able to abstract function. We asked students to generate functions for two different products and examined how students taught functional modeling and function enumeration compare to students who are only taught function enumeration. The student responses were examined using a rubric that we developed and validated for assessing function. This rubric may be used to classify functions by correctness (correct, partially correct, and incorrect) and categories (high level, interface, low level, and ambiguous). On questions where students were not explicitly asked to write a high-level function or low-level function, and so on, students who were taught functional modeling were able to better demonstrate systems thinking in their responses (low-level and interface functions) than those students who were only taught function enumeration.

Territorial Distribution of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Mortality Concerning Regional Disparities in the Slovak Republic from Year 1996 to Year 2015

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Regional Disparities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Extreme Position ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level

BACKGROUND: This paper deals with territorial distribution of the alcohol and drug addictions mortality at a level of the districts of the Slovak Republic. AIM: The aim of the paper is to explore the relations within the administrative territorial division of the Slovak Republic, that is, between the individual districts and hence, to reveal possibly hidden relation in alcohol and drug mortality. METHODS: The analysis is divided and executed into the two fragments – one belongs to the female sex, the other one belongs to the male sex. The standardised mortality rate is computed according to a sequence of the mathematical relations. The Euclidean distance is employed to compute the similarity within each pair of a whole data set. The cluster analysis examines is performed. The clusters are created by means of the mutual distances of the districts. The data is collected from the database of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic for all the districts of the Slovak Republic. The covered time span begins in the year 1996 and ends in the year 2015. RESULTS: The most substantial point is that the Slovak Republic possesses the regional disparities in a field of mortality expressed by the standardised mortality rate computed particularly for the diagnoses assigned to the alcohol and drug addictions at a considerably high level. However, the female sex and the male sex have the different outcome. The Bratislava III District keeps absolutely the most extreme position. It forms an own cluster for the both sexes too. The Topoľčany District bears a similar extreme position from a point of view of the male sex. All the Bratislava districts keep their mutual notable dissimilarity. Contrariwise, evaluation of a development of the regional disparities among the districts looks like notably heterogeneously. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable regional discrepancies throughout the districts of the Slovak Republic. Hence, it is necessary to create a common platform how to proceed with the solution of this issue.

scholarly journals Developing a BIM-Based MUVR Treadmill System for Architectural Design Review and Collaboration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6881
Author(s):  
Calvin Chung Wai Keung ◽  
Jung In Kim ◽  
Qiao Min Ong
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Review ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Simulated Environment ◽  
Set Up ◽  
High Level

Virtual reality (VR) is quickly becoming the medium of choice for various architecture, engineering, and construction applications, such as design visualization, construction planning, and safety training. In particular, this technology offers an immersive experience to enhance the way architects review their design with team members. Traditionally, VR has used a desktop PC or workstation setup inside a room, yielding the risk of two users bump into each other while using multiuser VR (MUVR) applications. MUVR offers shared experiences that disrupt the conventional single-user VR setup, where multiple users can communicate and interact in the same virtual space, providing more realistic scenarios for architects in the design stage. However, this shared virtual environment introduces challenges regarding limited human locomotion and interactions, due to physical constraints of normal room spaces. This study thus presented a system framework that integrates MUVR applications into omnidirectional treadmills. The treadmills allow users an immersive walking experience in the simulated environment, without space constraints or hurt potentialities. A prototype was set up and tested in several scenarios by practitioners and students. The validated MUVR treadmill system aims to promote high-level immersion in architectural design review and collaboration.

scholarly journals SURG-29. A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE OF USING INTRA-OPERATIVE MRI IN MANAGING PEDIATRIC CRANIAL NEURO-ONCOLOGY CASES

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii464-iii464
Author(s):  
Dharmendra Ganesan ◽  
Nor Faizal Ahmad Bahuri ◽  
Revathi Rajagopal ◽  
Jasmine Loh PY ◽  
Kein Seong Mun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Operating Procedure ◽  
Ferromagnetic Material ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Single Centre Experience ◽  
Physical Setting ◽  
Paediatric Case ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Abstract The University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur had acquired a intraoperative MRI (iMRI) brain suite via a public private initiative in September 2015. The MRI brain suite has a SIEMENS 1.5T system with NORAS coil system and NORAS head clamps in a two room solution. We would like to retrospectively review the cranial paediatric neuro-oncology cases that had surgery in this facility from September 2015 till December 2019. We would like to discuss our experience with regard to the clear benefits and the challenges in using such technology to aid in the surgery. The challenges include the physical setting up the paediatric case preoperatively, the preparation and performing the intraoperative scan, the interpretation of intraoperative images and making a decision and the utilisation of the new MRI data set to assist in the navigation to locate the residue safely. Also discuss the utility of the intraoperative images in the decision of subsequent adjuvant management. The use of iMRI also has other technical challenges such as ensuring the perimeter around the patient is free of ferromagnetic material, the process of transfer of the patient to the scanner and as a consequence increased duration of the surgery. CONCLUSION: Many elements in the use of iMRI has a learning curve and it improves with exposure and experience. In some areas only a high level of vigilance and SOP (Standard operating procedure) is required to minimize mishaps. Currently, the iMRI gives the best means of determining extent of resection before concluding the surgery.

Application research of automobile modeling optimization design based on virtual reality technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Jingfeng Shao ◽  
Zhigang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Automobile Design ◽  
Field Of Vision ◽  
Development Cycle ◽  
Design Cycle ◽  
Long Time

Automobile styling design is an important part of the design chain. In the traditional automobile modeling evaluation, the process of project evaluation is more in-depth, and designers exchange ideas. Different designers have different evaluations of automobile styling. The evaluation process lasts a long time, which leads to the design cycle being too long and the efficiency of automobile modeling evaluation is greatly reduced. The introduction of virtual reality in automobile modeling evaluation can effectively optimize the evaluation process and promote the rapid adjustment of the model on the basis of development. From the virtual reality system based on mechanical engineering, we only need the parameters of the car model to observe the actual situation through VR technology, and use the measurement tools to directly and accurately evaluate the driver’s field of vision. Through the application of virtual reality technology in the automobile design stage, the interactive and network-based remote research on automobile modeling will also make the automobile design process more convenient, easier to communicate with designers, and reduce the development cycle and cost of automobile design.

scholarly journals Impact of Window to Wall Ratio on Energy Loads in Hot Regions: A Study of Building Energy Performance

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080
Author(s):  
Mamdooh Alwetaishi ◽  
Omrane Benjeddou
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Building Energy Efficiency ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Heating And Cooling

The concern regarding local responsive building design has gained more attention globally as of late. This is due to the issue of the rapid increase in energy consumption in buildings for the purpose of heating and cooling. This has become a crucial issue in educational buildings and especially in schools. The major issue in school buildings in Saudi Arabia is that they are a form of prototype school building design (PSBD). As a result, if there is any concern in the design stage and in relation to the selection of building materials, this will spread throughout the region. In addition to that, the design is repeated regardless of the climate variation within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This research will focus on the influence of the window to wall ratio on the energy load in various orientations and different climatic regions. The research will use the energy computer tool TAS Environmental Design Solution Limited (EDSL) to calculate the energy load as well as solar gain. During the visit to the sample schools, a globe thermometer will be used to monitor the globe temperature in the classrooms. This research introduces a framework to assist architects and engineers in selecting the proper window to wall ratio (WWR) in each direction within the same building based on adequate natural light with a minimum reliance on energy load. For ultimate WWR for energy performance and daylight, the WWR should range from 20% to 30%, depending on orientation, in order to provide the optimal daylight factor combined with building energy efficiency. This ratio can be slightly greater in higher altitude locations.

scholarly journals Model-Driven Architectural Framework towards Safe and Secure Nuclear Power Reactors

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5136
Author(s):  
Bassem Ouni ◽  
Christophe Aussagues ◽  
Saadia Dhouib ◽  
Chokri Mraidha
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
System Development ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Model Driven ◽  
Case System ◽  
Architectural Framework ◽  
Performance Check ◽  
High Level ◽  
Different Levels

Sensor-based digital systems for Instrumentation and Control (I&C) of nuclear reactors are quite complex in terms of architecture and functionalities. A high-level framework is highly required to pre-evaluate the system’s performance, check the consistency between different levels of abstraction and address the concerns of various stakeholders. In this work, we integrate the development process of I&C systems and the involvement of stakeholders within a model-driven methodology. The proposed approach introduces a new architectural framework that defines various concepts, allowing system implementations and encompassing different development phases, all actors, and system concerns. In addition, we define a new I&C Modeling Language (ICML) and a set of methodological rules needed to build different architectural framework views. To illustrate this methodology, we extend the specific use of an open-source system engineering tool, named Eclipse Papyrus, to carry out many automation and verification steps at different levels of abstraction. The architectural framework modeling capabilities will be validated using a realistic use case system for the protection of nuclear reactors. The proposed framework is able to reduce the overall system development cost by improving links between different specification tasks and providing a high abstraction level of system components.

Re-examining the effects of supplier integration on operations performance: a relational view

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1702-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanqiong He ◽  
Hongyi Sun ◽  
Wenbin Ni ◽  
Stephen C.H. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Product Complexity ◽  
Relational View ◽  
Competition Intensity ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Joint Decision ◽  
Competitive Intensity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supplier Integration ◽  
Operations Performance

Purpose The importance of supplier integration (SI) in improving firms’ performance has been previously identified but the effects of SI are complicated, as the relationship between supplier and buyer is full of uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the effects of SI on operations performance from a relational view. Design/methodology/approach Two strategies of integrating suppliers are theoretically presented: information sharing and joint decision making. Hypotheses are then developed on when SI influences operations performance, using product complexity and competitive intensity as moderating factors. The hypotheses are tested using a global survey data set, made up of 763 manufacturing firms from 22 countries. Findings The results indicate a positive relationship between SI and operations performance and that the moderating roles of product complexity and competition intensity are significant, but product complexity does not have significant moderation effects on the relationships between joint decision making and product quality/cost reduction. Research limitations/implications The moderators of product complexity and competitive intensity are not comprehensive. Future study into how and under what circumstances SI has the greatest effect will be of benefit. Originality/value This study makes theoretical contributions by exploring the strategies of SI through a relational view, and examining the effects of SI through the moderating roles of product complexity and competition intensity.

scholarly journals A rapid design space exploration approach for multi-objective optimization of DSP filter designs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aakriti Tarun Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Time Period ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

The process of converting a behavioral specification of an application to its equivalent system architecture is referred to as High Level-Synthesis (HLS). A crucial stage in embedded systems design involves finding the trade off between resource utilization and performance. An exhaustive search would yield the required results, but would take a huge amount of time to arrive at the solution even for smaller designs. This would result in a high time complexity. We employ the use of Design Space Exploration (DSE) in order to reduce the complexity of the design space and to reach the desired results in less time. In reality, there are multiple constraints defined by the user that need to be satisfied simultaneously. Thus, the nature of the task at hand is referred to as Multi-Objective Optimization. In this thesis, the design process of DSP benchmarks was analyzed based on user defined constraints such as power and execution time. The analyzed outcome was compared with the existing approaches in DSE and an optimal design solution was derived in a shorter time period.

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