Distributed Collaborative Design of a Mixed-Signal IP Component

Abstract

A novel approach for enabling distributed design of heterogeneous systems and components is introduced in the paper. It integrates concepts of visual knowledge modeling, engineering workflows, collaborative workspaces, design task patterns, and remote tool invocation. These concepts are supported by a collaboration platform -a result of the EU FP6 project MAPPER. The design approach and the supporting collaboration platform have been applied in the USB2 OTG PHY IP core design that required collaboration among two dispersed SMEs.Mixed-signal USB design challenges, distributed design flow, requirements for enhanced EDA support, and selected design tasks enabled by the collaboration platform have been discussed. Finally, advantages and constraints of the design approach have been pointed to.

Holistic Design of Collaborative Networks of Design Engineering Organizations

“…AKM-based design strategy enables capturing in a model, knowledge on: enterprise architecture, design processes, designers' competencies, used tools, IT infrastructure, products, and patterns of good practices. This knowledge is gathered in visual knowledge models, operational models [10], and patterns [23]. Active knowledge models (AKMs) [18] are visual representations of unfolding and dynamic business knowledge.…”

“…Further details of the discussed distributed collaborative design process are available in: [22][23] [25], as well as from mapper.eu.org (D15).…”

“…However, modern design methodologies like, platform-based design focus on system engineering design itself and rather neglect cross-organizational multidisciplinary issues in design flows. Further design challenges include: transformation and integration of models realized by multidisciplinary teams [10], shared understanding in distributed teams, engineering knowledge representation [27], as well as use in a design process of enterprise knowledge [25]. Due to a dynamic character of a design teams' membership, a need for agile learning of team new members becomes evident.…”