DESIGN AND OPERATION OF LARGE SYSTEMS

Issues related to the design of large systems are explored based on th e axiomatic approach to design. A large system has the characteristic of having to satisfy varying sets of functional requirements (FRs) ove r its lifetime, some of which are not known a priori. Such a system mu st therefore be designed to accommodate these varying and sometimes un known sets of functional requirements. The design must also allow the system to have an expandable database of design parameters (DPs) to sa tisfy yet-unknown FRs and endow the system with ''intelligence'' to ma ke correct decisions. The independence axiom and the information axiom are the basis for several theorems that are derived for large systems . These theorems characterize or establish the bounds on the large sys tems. The implications of these theorems are examined using organizati onal design and the design of intelligent manufacturing systems as exa mples. Finally, the human cognitive process, including human creativit y, is discussed as an example of a large system.