On the complexity of the design synthesis problem

Oded Maimon; Dan Braha

doi:10.1109/3468.477869

On the complexity of the design synthesis problem

Oded Maimon, Dan Braha

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper we present and analyze a formal model of a design process, emphasizing the synthesis part. The design artifact description is identified as an algebraic structure. The desired function and constraints are mapped to the artifact description using an evolutionary process that can be visualized as a feedback loop of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. A special case of the synthesis activity, called the Basic Synthesis Problem (BSP), is addressed. The BSP is shown to be NP-Complete. As a consequence, tractability can be obtained by enforcing constraints on the artifact structure. As such, we present a model having an element of descriptive design theory that is also a framework for the future development of computational support systems and automatic design tools.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	142-151
Number of pages	10
Journal	IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Part A:Systems and Humans
Volume	26
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/3468.477869
State	Published - 1 Dec 1996
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Control and Systems Engineering
Software
Information Systems
Human-Computer Interaction
Computer Science Applications
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1109/3468.477869

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On the complexity of the design synthesis problem

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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