Sequential analysis of variants and optimal design techniques for human-machine systems

Abstract

The current paper considers automatic design of functioning processes of human-machine systems. The idea of models, methods and techniques that are discussed in the article is based on functional-structural theory and the generalized structural method, which was suggested by prof. A.I. Gubinsky. The process of functioning is presented as a sequence of simple operations - basic functional units, which can be combined into basic functional structures. Efficiency, quality and reliability of the functioning process are considered as local criteria in optimization problems. Basic design strategies for human-machine systems are given: a down-top, top-down approach and their combination. A definition of a system operation process as a notation based on binary relations between elements included in a functional net is presented. A special algorithm to determine whether a functional net defined as a set of binary relations between net elements can be reduced to a superposition of basic functional structures is stated. All alternative processes of operating of a human-machine system are formed by an alternative graph and its traversal ways. A directional search algorithm is applied to finding the optimal solution. It allows building partial solutions step-by-step. For equal (repeated) segments of a functional net the alternative graph is changed and solutions are produced by the specific optimized technique.