A multiple perspective printed circuit board design guide: expert system prototype

Abstract

An expert system prototype was developed to provide a merit rating for design options selected by a printed circuit board (PCB) designer. Experts in design, manufacturing, test and procurement from three companies were used to develop the knowledge base using a preselected PCB as a prototype. The system is designed to act as a guide toward accepted practice and to encourage consideration of manufacturing engineering, component selection, and test perspectives as well as product design orientation. The process involved team consensus building and problem solving among cross disciplinary functions within each company while capturing quantitative and qualitative design information in a structured transferable format. An internal and external knowledge base were created to promote flexibility in use for different products and varied company standards. The internal knowledge base contains system structure, chaining strategy, knowledge confirmation and calculation methodology. The external knowledge base contains issue weights, options, values, and descriptions. The user can modify and update the external knowledge base without depending on a system professional. Any or all of the overlapping frame-based issues may be selected when evaluating the design. Special attention is given to issues relevant to several branch and design options. AI TOPIC: Configuration and Design DOMAIN AREA: Printed Circuit Board Design LANGUAGE TOOL: Personal Consultant Plus STATUS: Working Prototype, Proposal Pending for Developed System EFFORT: Two Person Years IMPACT: This printed circuit board design guide promotes problem solving among the cross disciplinary functions of design, test, procurement, and manufacturing.