A computer program helps to blend the power of automated-search software, which is able to generate large numbers of design solutions, with the insight of expert designers, who are able to identify preferred designs but do not have time to examine all the solutions. From among the many automated solutions to a given design problem, the program selects a smaller number of solutions that are worthy of scrutiny by the experts in the sense that they are sufficiently dissimilar from each other. The program makes the selection in an interactive process that involves a sequence of datamining steps interspersed with visual displays of results of these steps to the experts. At crucial points between steps, the experts provide directives to guide the process. The program uses heuristic search techniques to identify nearly optimal design solutions and uses dissimilarity metrics defined by the experts to characterize the degree to which solutions are interestingly different. The search, data-mining, and visualization features of the program were derived from previously developed risk-management software used to support a risk-centric design methodology.

This program was written by Martin Feather of Caltech and James Kiper of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.

This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-40456.

Topics:
Computer software and hardware Displays Education and training Imaging and visualization Logistics Optics People and personalities Software
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Using Dissimilarity Metrics To Identify Interesting Designs

(reference NPO-40456) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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NASA Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the July, 2006 issue of NASA Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 30 No. 7).

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Overview

The document titled "Using Dissimilarity Metrics to Identify Interesting Designs" is a Technical Support Package from NASA, specifically referencing NPO-40456. It discusses the challenges of finding optimal solutions in complex design problems, particularly in the context of spacecraft technology development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and NASA.

The core issue addressed is the vast and convoluted nature of the design problem space, which makes it difficult for human designers to comprehend all potential solutions. The document highlights the need for a systematic approach to navigate this complexity, particularly when planning the development of technologies for future spacecraft missions. It emphasizes the importance of risk management in the design process, where numerous risk abatement options and decision alternatives must be evaluated for their cost-effectiveness and impact on project objectives.

To tackle these challenges, the document outlines a risk-informed design methodology that integrates insights from spacecraft experts with a structured model for representing their knowledge. This methodology allows users to identify objectives, assess risks, and explore various risk mitigation strategies. The interconnectedness of risks, objectives, and mitigations is a key focus, illustrating how different risks can impact multiple objectives and how mitigations can alleviate these risks.

A significant aspect of the methodology is the use of data mining techniques and heuristic search methods to identify near-optimal design solutions. The document describes how user-defined dissimilarity metrics can help characterize distinct design solutions, enabling experts to visualize and understand the differences among potential options. Visualization tools are employed to present the results of data mining, allowing users to see the available solutions and their characteristics.

The document also mentions the proprietary nature of some data, including specific mitigations, while providing insights into the overall assessment process. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of a structured approach to risk management in the design and development of complex systems, which is essential for the success of future spacecraft missions.

Overall, this Technical Support Package serves as a resource for understanding the methodologies and tools used in aerospace design, highlighting the innovative strategies employed by NASA to address complex engineering challenges.