Architectural framework to support integrated concurrent engineering in an academic institution

Abstract

This thesis focuses on developing a recommended architecture for the next generation of design centers for integrated concurrent engineering in an academic environment and identifying and implementing an enabling sub-system for the architecture. During the development of this architecture a systems engineering process was used to structure the efforts of the team and maintain traceability to the customer needs throughout the design. Site visits were undertaken to benchmark existing design centers. Customer needs were compiled and analyzed to develop the system requirements that were input into a product matrix. This enabled the team to generate a wide array of implementations to synthesize multiple architectures. The recommended architecture should help to promote active learning in a distributed design team environment. Further, a concept for an On-Line Teaching Assistant (OLTA) was developed designed to help designers throughout the process of developing complex systems. The OLTA may be considered an "expert system" that will retain and filter an accumulating knowledge database of student work entities. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed to demonstrate this concept. Results of the architecture show a significant relative improvement over the currently proposed architecture and preliminary responses for the OLTA are very positive with one advisor stating "OLTA could revolutionize engineering education as we know it." Two faculty members agreed to utilize a prototype in their upcoming classes and the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department is very interested in implementing the system in its capstone design classes.