A Methodology and Toolset for the Large-Scale Automation of the Electrical Design Process

Increased content and complexity of electrical systems together with pressure to reduce the design-cycle-time is causing many car companies to re-evaluate their existing electrical design processes and toolsets. Despite the availability of a wide range of software tools, the current approach is intensely manual, relying on electrical-design experts to define and maintain the inter-relationships and complexities of the core design-definition.

This paper describes the key features and capabilities of a new methodology and software toolset that redefines the entire process, from concept-design to detail-design using a top-down system-design approach. Key benefits include: reduced development cycle time; automatic generation of schematics, harness-drawings, and design reports; reduced component and wiring cost; synchronization of all input and output data definitions.