Modular Systems Design via Multiobjective Optimization

The design of modular technical systems should consider compatibility, functional restrictions and user requirements and is a complex combinatorial problem. The current paper proposes a design approach based on mathematical modelling and multicriteria combinatorial optimization tasks formulations. The proposed approach is illustrated on the example of personal computer configuration design. It takes into account the existing compatibility restrictions between the personal computer main modules and can be extended and modified to reflect different functional and users' requirements. The developed design modelling technique is used to formulate multiobjective discrete mixed- integer optimization tasks. The practical applicability of the developed approach is tested by numerical examples based on real personal computer modules data. The solutions of the formulated optimization tasks define combinations of Pareto-optimal modules satisfying the compatibility restrictions and given user requirements. The results of numerical experiments show the possibility for practical application of the proposed design approach.

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