New Methods for Rapid Architecture Selection and Conceptual Design

摘要

New methods for rapid front-end development of complex systems are introduced. New tradespace exploration techniques, advances in integrated concurrent engineering, and application of risk analysis methods early in the design process allow rapid progress from poorly defined user needs to fairly detailed conceptual designs. An overview is provided of the methods. A process is described that allows thousands of system architecture alternatives to be quickly and quantitatively assessed vs user needs. The result is an understanding of the tradespace, including its key constraints and sensitivities, as well as an optimum architecture. This architecture is used to specify needs for space vehicles, which are designed using integrated concurrent engineering techniques. Research in risk and uncertainty, policy impacts, and information technology methods allows quantitative consideration of these factors, resulting in designs that are robust to uncertainties and policy impacts and potentially more versatile and flexible. Eight systems designed to date using the method are briefly reviewed. Key literature and a number of companion papers that go into depth on various aspects of the method are cited.