From 0a818e480061bb59a35fa8daeefd8ed5a810ae17 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Wouter Horlings Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2020 18:09:25 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add introduction. Refs #1 --- content/introduction.tex | 55 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 54 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/introduction.tex b/content/introduction.tex index 3b331fb..acd5d1d 100644 --- a/content/introduction.tex +++ b/content/introduction.tex @@ -1,3 +1,56 @@ %&tex -\chapter{introduction} +\chapter{Introduction} \label{introduction} +\section{Context of this Thesis} + Design methodology for \ac{cps} is one of the research topics within the department of Robotics and Mechatronics. + A \emph{design method} for rapid development of embedded control software is proposed by \textcite{broenink_rapid_2019} as part of this research topic. + The design method in the paper is used to design a control system on an existing hardware system. + The result is an operational, software based, control system for a mini-segway. + About this result, Broenink and Broenink make the following statement: "this [result] does not mean that the same techniques cannot be applied to the physical part of the system." + The goal of this thesis is to substantiate this statement with a case study wherein a physical system is developed from scratch according to the design method. + Directly from the start of this research it was clear that, without adjustment, the design method cannot be applied to the physical part of the system. + The required adjustments consist of refining and extending the proposed design method into a \emph{design plan} that can be used in a \emph{case study}. + +\section{Research Objective} + The research is summarized in the following two research questions. + \begin{itemize} + \item Which techniques of the design method can be applied in the development of hardware? + \item Which adaptations are required to create a design method that is suitable for the development of hardware? + \end{itemize} + +\section{Approach} + This research revolves around performing a development process according to the design method in the form of a case study. + However, there are a couple of steps required prior to the start of the case study. + The first step is to produce a concrete design plan based on the design method. + The concrete design plan improves the evaluation of the design techniques. + The abstract form of the design method leaves room for interpretation. + This uncertainty hampers the evaluation process, because it is impossible to point out flaws in something that was not specified in the first place. + Therefore, the design method is assessed and detail is added to get a concrete design plan. + However, the design method focusses on the rapid development principles and modelling techniques, and does not cover the design steps outside of that focus. + These steps, like problem definition and system specifications, are a crucial part of the design process and are added to create the concrete design plan. + The added steps are based on the steps in a \ac{se} approach. + + With a design plan to use in the case study there are two steps left. + With one step being an \emph{evaluation plan} to ensure complete and consistent feedback during the case study. + The design plan consists of multiple design steps that are performed in succession. + The evaluation plan consists of a list of questions that have to be evaluated for each design step. + There are specific questions that evaluate the definition or the execution of the design step. + The other step is to provide a \emph{subject} to develop in the case study. + Normally, the desired result of a design process is the optimal end product. + However, the goal of this research is to evaluate the design method, not to develop a product. + One of the requirements of the possible subjects is therefore a minimum level of complexity, aiming to cover all essentials of the design method. + Some other requirements, based on practical decisions like budget, tools, and time, were defined as well. + Based on the requirements, the subject of choice is "Writing a tweet on a whiteboard". + + With something to develop, a method to develop, and a method to evaluated the case study is executed. + The result is a partial prototype of a whiteboard writer and a evaluation document. + The evaluation of the case study is then used to suggest an improved design method for the physical part of the system. + +\section{Structure} + The refinement of the design method and adding design steps is done in \autoref{analysis} to define a concrete design plan. + The evaluation plan and subject of development is defined in \autoref{case_method}. + This preparation is then performed as a case study in \autoref{case_experiment}. + In \autoref{case_evaluation} the case study is evaluated. + In \autoref{reflection} the evaluation is reflected, resulting in proposed improvements. + These improvements are processed in \autoref{improved_design} into a new design method. + And finally, the research is concluded in \autoref{conclusion}.