UML sequence diagram to axiomatic design matrix conversion: a method for concept improvement for software in integrated systems

Abstract

Software system and conceptual design are highly abstract and functionally based. In recent years, the software system has been developing rapidly whereas the growth of hardware system is slow. However, it is difficult to transfer the knowledge from software to hardware for conceptual design due to the discipline gaps between software and hardware. Axiomatic design theory bridges software and hardware design conceptually; but lacks in further methodologies for transforming the software system structure to the axiomatic design matrix. This paper focuses on developing a methodology to conceptually design firmware which will help bridge the gap between software and hardware conceptual design. A conversion method between the axiomatic design matrix and the widely used UML sequence diagram was developed. This helps the designers identify Functional Requirements (FRs), Design Parameters (DPs) and their dependencies (i.e., Functional Couplings). In this methodology Functional Messages (FMs) are introduced, defined as the messages of UML sequence diagram and they are used for transition to axiomatic design matrix. DPs of design matrix are defined as the objects in the UML sequence diagram, and FRs of design matrix are generated by merging FMs depending on their flow of information in the sequence diagram. A case study was performed on software system of FDM 3D Printer to validate the proposed method. The UML Sequence diagram of the software system of FDM 3D Printer was successfully transformed into the design matrix. Then Design Coupling Sequence approach was applied to find the proper executable sequence to improve the software design concept of the 3D printer and innovation opportunities were suggested. By using this method, the Software system architecture of FDM 3D Printer was improved conceptually by decoupling the highly coupled DPs, which makes the system more efficient by reducing the build time of a 3D printed part.