An object-oriented formalism for electronics assemblies components selection

An electronics assembly (EA) is a backbone of electronic or electromechanic al products, where its functions are implemented by combining components an d their interconnections (conductors) on a substrate plate. The design of E As is relatively complex and encompasses the consideration of many diverse considerations. This paper is concerned with the central area of electronic assemblies component selection (EACS), and with considering constraints at this stage to avoid multiple repetitions of the design process. The use of such EACS promises substantial benefits but its successful implementation is hampered by the lack of a suitable formalism, particularly where, as is often the case, participants are geographically separated. The work present ed in this paper is focused on how to represent EACS, where the participant s may be remote, and how to implement it in a formal and systematic way. A representation formalism is proposed for that purpose. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.