Integrated knowledge representation and management in simulation-based design generation

The rising complexity of systems has increased the difficulty in managing knowledge in computer-aided design tools. Conventional representation schemes such as production rules, frames, AND⧸OR trees or semantic networks do not provide sufficient power for managing complex design knowledge. An integrated knowledge representation and management scheme, termed Frames and Rules Associated System Entity Structure (FRASES), is presented for model-based system design applications. A design methodology supported by FRASES is discussed. The methodology combines simulation and artificial intelligence to aid in the design model development and performance evaluation processes. The proposed representation scheme is fundamental to the methodology in that (a) it captures the structure of the system being designed, (b) by organizing complex design knowledge into a hierarchical and entity-based structure, it increases the efficiency of design inference, and (c) it reduces the cost and increases the reliability of a knowledge base. A comprehensive design example illustrating the proposed scheme is also presented.