- Email: [email protected]
A self-checking database for the Australian building code
cycle time of robots can be examined, and task schemes developed and checked before cam missioning. A system known as GRASP (Graphical Robot Applications Simulation Package) under development in the Department of Production Engineering and Production Management at the University of Nottingham, UK, allows the designer to evaluate robot/workstations using interactive computer graphics. Visualization of the robot operations is then presented through computer animation. The simulation system has been used for a number of industrial applications where the potential of the system has been aptly demonstrated. Eventually GRASP will allow robots to be programmed offline with the task description being transferred from the simulation to the robot controller via a post processor. Mlke Dooner is a Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Production Engineering and Production Management at the University of Nottingham, UK. He is a member of a research team which, under the guidance of Maurice Bonney, is developing robot simulation and programming techniques.
ELECTRONICS
I n v i t e d p a p e r : S i m u l a t i o n o f large nonlinear circuits K G Nichols (University of Southampton,
UK) This presentation discusses some of the techniques currently being researched to resolve the problem of time-domain simulation of large nonlinear systems, such as those that may be realized on VLSI circuits.
An engineering tool for automatic chip design R C Anson and A G Tweedly (Compeda,
Stevenage, UK) To meet the variety of layout challenges raised by developing VLSI technology, a new Autolayout system has been developed. This flexible tool provides automated or interactive layout of both 'mass-production' and custom logic ICs for a variety of MOS technologies. The layout process accommodates two or three routing layers, signals of different widths and produces power and ground connections entirely on a single layer. Additionally the system allows its algorithms to be controlled and directed so that it can be highly tuned to a particular application. The system is integrated with the GAELIC IC design suite. R C Anson graduated from Edinburgh University in 1978 with a BSc Honours in Computer Science. He joined Compeda in August 1978 as a Programmer and is now Development Manager for GAELIC.
106
Automated verification of the VLSI design using mock cells M A Ward (Sperry Univac, Salt Lake City, UT, USA) An automated MLSl verification system that has proved to be effective in production use is described. A unique feature of the system is the use of equivalent mock cells that simplify network reduction and sharply reduce the size of the manipulated database. Initial application of the system has been with semi-custom NMOS designs, however the process may be applied to any VLSI technology. Manfred Ward is the manager of CAD for the Communications and General Systems Division of Sperry Univac at Salt Lake City, UT, USA. He holds the BA and MES degree from the University of Utah.
AIDES - an engineer's design process J Crescenti, G E Fredericks, and C A Fritsch (Bell Laboratories, Columbus, OH, USA) AIDES is a system of computer-aided engineering design tools for electronic hardware development. AIDES gives the engineer tools for early design analysis, graphical schematic entry of design information, and quick model building. Once the design is tested and verified and in some sense optimized, the design file is transmitted to the drafting organization for printed circuit layout. AIDES is fashioned to encourage the engineer to sit at the computer terminal, perform the analysis, and build the files needed for modelling. A single interactive computational environment is provided geared to the 'occasional user'. AIDES is structured to guide the user through the design process with tutorials, terminal prompting, interactive dialogues, and simplified file handling. Hard copy of clean chematics, physical layout, and stock lists are generated at any time for design reviews by engineering and manufacturing organizations. Transcription errors are eliminated between the steps in the design and documentation process since each step operates with the same database. Overall design turnaround time and development costs are reduced since most design errors are caught before going to printed circuit product. The process of building a system which has been accepted by engineers is reviewed, and the importance of user/ developer interactions is noted.
DATABASES
G r a p h i c i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h database systems J H Nash (EdCAAD, University of Edinburgh, UK) Easy access to data 'hidden' in a database is a prerequisite of a good interactive CAD program that relies on that data. Moreover, access must be seen to be easy by users of programs who have no prior experience of computing. A method of extracting and inserting data into a database is outlined, which
allows the user to identify areas of interest simply by pointing at a graphical display. The system is known as QUEST (query stored text) and forms part of a suite of programs for recording and retrieving information describing existing building stock. These applications elucidate results of research on user interfaces, graphics and data management systems at EdCAAD. Jim Nash graduated from Imperial College, London University with a BSc in Electronic Engineering in 1973. For the past seven years he has been actively engaged in research in the field of CAD. He is presently a research analyst with EdCAAD researching into advanced CAD techniques as applied to architectu re.
A self-checking database f o r t h e Australian building code J S Gero (Department of Architectural Science, University of Sydney, Australia) This paper describes the procedures involved in the development of a selfchecking database for the Australian Model Uniform Building Code for use by the Code administrators. The self-checking procedures are those concerned with completeness, uniqueness and correctness of the Code. The techniques used are based on decision tables and information nets and involve a complete reformulation of the Code. This is the first time that an active building Code will have been reformulated as a self-checking database. It is anticipated that the methodologies and software developed will be applicable to a large number of prescriptive codes.
A spatially-segmented solid: database - justification and design K M Quinlan and J R Woodwark (Bath
University, UK) A problem with many solid modelling systems currently in existence is that their performance diminishes excessively with increasing model complexity. This has been the limiting factor determining the complexity of model that can reasonably be handled and has hampered the modelling o f large mechanical engineering assemblies. The authors present a system, currently being implemented, that goes some way towards attacking the problem of modelling large assemblies by segmenting them spatially. This technique is designed to reduce to reasonable levels the cost of many common queries (including picture generation) on databases containing large solid models.
Kevin Quinlan completed an Undergraduate Apprenticeship with Lucas Girling Ltd and at Bath University in 1978. Since then he has been working towards a PhD at Bath, sponsored by the SERC and NormalairGarrett Ltd. John Woodwark did research in CAM at Leeds University, receiving his PhD in 1978, Since then he has been a lecturer in Manufacturing Engineering at Bath University, with research interests in solid modelling, robotics and computer graphics.
c o m p u t e r - a i d e d design
ELECTRONICS
I n v i t e d p a p e r : S i m u l a t i o n o f large nonlinear circuits K G Nichols (University of Southampton,
UK) This presentation discusses some of the techniques currently being researched to resolve the problem of time-domain simulation of large nonlinear systems, such as those that may be realized on VLSI circuits.
An engineering tool for automatic chip design R C Anson and A G Tweedly (Compeda,
Stevenage, UK) To meet the variety of layout challenges raised by developing VLSI technology, a new Autolayout system has been developed. This flexible tool provides automated or interactive layout of both 'mass-production' and custom logic ICs for a variety of MOS technologies. The layout process accommodates two or three routing layers, signals of different widths and produces power and ground connections entirely on a single layer. Additionally the system allows its algorithms to be controlled and directed so that it can be highly tuned to a particular application. The system is integrated with the GAELIC IC design suite. R C Anson graduated from Edinburgh University in 1978 with a BSc Honours in Computer Science. He joined Compeda in August 1978 as a Programmer and is now Development Manager for GAELIC.
106
Automated verification of the VLSI design using mock cells M A Ward (Sperry Univac, Salt Lake City, UT, USA) An automated MLSl verification system that has proved to be effective in production use is described. A unique feature of the system is the use of equivalent mock cells that simplify network reduction and sharply reduce the size of the manipulated database. Initial application of the system has been with semi-custom NMOS designs, however the process may be applied to any VLSI technology. Manfred Ward is the manager of CAD for the Communications and General Systems Division of Sperry Univac at Salt Lake City, UT, USA. He holds the BA and MES degree from the University of Utah.
AIDES - an engineer's design process J Crescenti, G E Fredericks, and C A Fritsch (Bell Laboratories, Columbus, OH, USA) AIDES is a system of computer-aided engineering design tools for electronic hardware development. AIDES gives the engineer tools for early design analysis, graphical schematic entry of design information, and quick model building. Once the design is tested and verified and in some sense optimized, the design file is transmitted to the drafting organization for printed circuit layout. AIDES is fashioned to encourage the engineer to sit at the computer terminal, perform the analysis, and build the files needed for modelling. A single interactive computational environment is provided geared to the 'occasional user'. AIDES is structured to guide the user through the design process with tutorials, terminal prompting, interactive dialogues, and simplified file handling. Hard copy of clean chematics, physical layout, and stock lists are generated at any time for design reviews by engineering and manufacturing organizations. Transcription errors are eliminated between the steps in the design and documentation process since each step operates with the same database. Overall design turnaround time and development costs are reduced since most design errors are caught before going to printed circuit product. The process of building a system which has been accepted by engineers is reviewed, and the importance of user/ developer interactions is noted.
DATABASES
G r a p h i c i n t e r a c t i o n w i t h database systems J H Nash (EdCAAD, University of Edinburgh, UK) Easy access to data 'hidden' in a database is a prerequisite of a good interactive CAD program that relies on that data. Moreover, access must be seen to be easy by users of programs who have no prior experience of computing. A method of extracting and inserting data into a database is outlined, which
allows the user to identify areas of interest simply by pointing at a graphical display. The system is known as QUEST (query stored text) and forms part of a suite of programs for recording and retrieving information describing existing building stock. These applications elucidate results of research on user interfaces, graphics and data management systems at EdCAAD. Jim Nash graduated from Imperial College, London University with a BSc in Electronic Engineering in 1973. For the past seven years he has been actively engaged in research in the field of CAD. He is presently a research analyst with EdCAAD researching into advanced CAD techniques as applied to architectu re.
A self-checking database f o r t h e Australian building code J S Gero (Department of Architectural Science, University of Sydney, Australia) This paper describes the procedures involved in the development of a selfchecking database for the Australian Model Uniform Building Code for use by the Code administrators. The self-checking procedures are those concerned with completeness, uniqueness and correctness of the Code. The techniques used are based on decision tables and information nets and involve a complete reformulation of the Code. This is the first time that an active building Code will have been reformulated as a self-checking database. It is anticipated that the methodologies and software developed will be applicable to a large number of prescriptive codes.
A spatially-segmented solid: database - justification and design K M Quinlan and J R Woodwark (Bath
University, UK) A problem with many solid modelling systems currently in existence is that their performance diminishes excessively with increasing model complexity. This has been the limiting factor determining the complexity of model that can reasonably be handled and has hampered the modelling o f large mechanical engineering assemblies. The authors present a system, currently being implemented, that goes some way towards attacking the problem of modelling large assemblies by segmenting them spatially. This technique is designed to reduce to reasonable levels the cost of many common queries (including picture generation) on databases containing large solid models.
Kevin Quinlan completed an Undergraduate Apprenticeship with Lucas Girling Ltd and at Bath University in 1978. Since then he has been working towards a PhD at Bath, sponsored by the SERC and NormalairGarrett Ltd. John Woodwark did research in CAM at Leeds University, receiving his PhD in 1978, Since then he has been a lecturer in Manufacturing Engineering at Bath University, with research interests in solid modelling, robotics and computer graphics.
c o m p u t e r - a i d e d design