Graphical system design
 | This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. |
Graphical system design is a modern approach to designing, prototyping, and deploying embedded systems that combines open graphical programming with COTS hardware to dramatically simplify development, resulting in higher-quality designs with a migration to custom design. This is basically a way for domain experts [1], or non-embedded experts, to access embedded design where they would traditionally need to outsource an embedded design expert.
This approach to embedded system design is a super-set of Electronic System Level (ESL) [2][3] design. Graphical system design expands on the EDA-based [4] ESL definition to include other types of embedded system design including industrial machines and medical devices. Many of these expanded applications can be defined as "long tail" [5] applications. This concept is further explained in this article [6].
"Graphical system design is a complementary but encompassing approach that includes embedded and electronic system design, implementation, and verification tools. ESL and graphical system design are really part of the same movement--higher abstraction and more design automation looking to solve the real engineering challenges that designers are facing today--addressing design flaws that are introduced at the specification stage to ensure they're detected well before validation for on-time product delivery."
File:Graphicalsystemdesign.jpg
Tools
Graphical system design relies on open connectivity. For example, tools that can be used in the design phase include (in alphabetical order): Ansoft Designer [7], AutoCAD [8], CarSim [9], DOORS, Dymola[10], LabVIEW[ni.com/labview], Matlab, MSC.Adams[11], MultiSim[12], SolidWorks, SPICE.
The prototyping stage is more about taking algorithm design and implementing them on hardware for higher quality designs. An effective prototyping platform includes a high-level language, real-time processors, FPGA logic, modular I/O and any IP (intellectual property) [13] needed.
The deploy stage is mostly about hardware - where you put your design in the final stage. This may involved MPUs or FPGAs.
Examples
Examples of engineers and scientists applying graphical system design techinques include:
Researchers Use Graphical System Design for Development and Control of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles [14]
Developing a Robotic Manipulator for Cancer Therapy Using Graphical System Design [15]