Difference between revisions of "Design Constraints Analysis"
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If you have a deadline, eg. may 16 - 2013, this is a time constraint, that can be used to layout a timeschedule, tasks and assign manpower | If you have a deadline, eg. may 16 - 2013, this is a time constraint, that can be used to layout a timeschedule, tasks and assign manpower | ||
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| + | '''More What''' | ||
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| + | ===Design Constraints=== | ||
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| + | Prepare the Design Constraints. Consider these topics: | ||
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| + | '''The price of the product.''' | ||
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| + | Consider how much the product must cost. This includes sales price, development cost, HW cost, etc. | ||
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| + | '''Development time.''' | ||
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| + | Consider the time it must take to develop the system-to-be. | ||
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| + | When can the production start? When can the sale start? | ||
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| + | '''Performance.''' | ||
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| + | Consider the performance of the product when it is to be used. Is it an expensive high quality product or is it a low price product which is to be sold in large quantities?. If it is a product for which a customer has paid a large amount of money, then no defects are accepted. Is the system-to-be a product which must be safe in use, optimal performance is necessary and malfunctions are not accepted. Examples could be: Electronically controlled wheelchairs, systems for use in hospitals, etc. | ||
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| + | Another important aspect is which part of the world it is planned to sell the product-to-be. Different countries have different legislations. If you are planning to sell the system-to-be in European countries you must test your product in compliance with EU regulation and consequently mark your product with the CE certification. | ||
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| + | '''Reliability and lifetime.''' | ||
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| + | The reliability and lifetime must be considered. Is the system-to-be a product which must be safe to use, then it is necessary that the reliability and lifetime are high and no failures are accepted. Examples could be: Electronically controlled wheelchairs, systems for use in hospitals, etc. | ||
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| + | '''Already developed parts.''' | ||
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| + | If it is important to use already developed parts, these must be considered early in the project phase, because it will have an effect on the selection of the technical platform. It is not certain that these parts fit completely into the system-to-be. You have to consider how they worked in previous projects. Do they fit into the new project? Was the design as wished or did some parts have defects? Are they good enough or do you have to design new parts? | ||
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| + | '''Service and maintenance''' | ||
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| + | Consider service and maintenance. No matter how well- developed the system-to-be is, it will sometimes fail or must be maintained. Maintenance can be different sorts of adjustments of the system-to-be. Sometimes replacing old HW or changing SW. | ||
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| + | '''Type of System.''' | ||
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| + | Consider which type of system is wanted. | ||
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| + | It is possible to design systems containing much or little electronics. The more electronics the more features are normally possible. The choice could be a system that contains no electronics at all. It is, for instance, possible to construct a heating installation with no electronics and where the parts used are purely mechanical featuring only a few adjustment possibilities. It is also possible to construct a heating installation containing much electronics. In this case there are many adjustment possibilities, and it will be easy to guide the user. | ||
=How= | =How= | ||
=Why= | =Why= | ||
Revision as of 07:16, 25 September 2012
Contents
What
Design constraints are boundaries within who the system is designed, or limiting parameters
Constraints limits the conditions you can design from. This could be on the systems form or function or could be in the technology to be used, materials to be incorporated, time taken to develop the system.
A design constraint can be seen as a non-functional requirement the final product should meet.
Another perception is that constraints lead to requirements. (Constraints cannot be tested or verified, requirements can)
Examples:
Suppose you have electrical wiring somewhere and the current that flows is a 100A. the tables will tell you that you cannot use a #16 size wire - it will simply burn out and/or cause a fire.
Another example would be tensile strength in steel when building a structure. One has to be well within in a safe limit before the steel shears or starts to deform and causes the structure to crumble....
If you have a deadline, eg. may 16 - 2013, this is a time constraint, that can be used to layout a timeschedule, tasks and assign manpower
More What
Design Constraints
Prepare the Design Constraints. Consider these topics:
The price of the product.
Consider how much the product must cost. This includes sales price, development cost, HW cost, etc.
Development time.
Consider the time it must take to develop the system-to-be.
When can the production start? When can the sale start?
Performance.
Consider the performance of the product when it is to be used. Is it an expensive high quality product or is it a low price product which is to be sold in large quantities?. If it is a product for which a customer has paid a large amount of money, then no defects are accepted. Is the system-to-be a product which must be safe in use, optimal performance is necessary and malfunctions are not accepted. Examples could be: Electronically controlled wheelchairs, systems for use in hospitals, etc.
Another important aspect is which part of the world it is planned to sell the product-to-be. Different countries have different legislations. If you are planning to sell the system-to-be in European countries you must test your product in compliance with EU regulation and consequently mark your product with the CE certification.
Reliability and lifetime.
The reliability and lifetime must be considered. Is the system-to-be a product which must be safe to use, then it is necessary that the reliability and lifetime are high and no failures are accepted. Examples could be: Electronically controlled wheelchairs, systems for use in hospitals, etc.
Already developed parts.
If it is important to use already developed parts, these must be considered early in the project phase, because it will have an effect on the selection of the technical platform. It is not certain that these parts fit completely into the system-to-be. You have to consider how they worked in previous projects. Do they fit into the new project? Was the design as wished or did some parts have defects? Are they good enough or do you have to design new parts?
Service and maintenance
Consider service and maintenance. No matter how well- developed the system-to-be is, it will sometimes fail or must be maintained. Maintenance can be different sorts of adjustments of the system-to-be. Sometimes replacing old HW or changing SW.
Type of System.
Consider which type of system is wanted.
It is possible to design systems containing much or little electronics. The more electronics the more features are normally possible. The choice could be a system that contains no electronics at all. It is, for instance, possible to construct a heating installation with no electronics and where the parts used are purely mechanical featuring only a few adjustment possibilities. It is also possible to construct a heating installation containing much electronics. In this case there are many adjustment possibilities, and it will be easy to guide the user.
