Decision Aid for Preliminary Layout Using Evaluating Function Adopting a Distance Concept : Application to Forced-Convection Cooling Design of Electronic Systems

Abstract

In this paper we propose a quantitative evaluation method for the preliminary layout of electronic systems.The preliminary layout is conventionally determined by trial and error based on rough sketches by a skilled engineer.This study is based on the assumption that the skilled engineer adopts distance as the main criterion for comparison berween design cases.First, a method of describing past design cases is demonstrated using similarity on the basis of a pattern attribute vector.The mahalanobis distance between design cases is formulated using this similarity, and a statistical calculation method for the evaluated function, which consists of the mahalanobis distance, is shown.A prototype of a layout design support tool was constructed to demonstrate the advantages of this evaluation method.This method is useful because of its short calculation time and the generality of its methodology.