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."
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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, AutoCAD, CarSim, DOORS, Dymola, LabVIEW, Matlab, MSC.Adams, MultiSim, 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) [7] 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
- Developing a Robotic Manipulator for Cancer Therapy Using Graphical System Design