Graph Based Property Representation for the Function Decomposition

Abstract

A graph based property representation enables partly automation of the function decomposition. The first step in design is to decompose the main function into subfunctions. To partly automate this process, a key issue is to establish a computational decomposition process. This paper transforms functions into properties of substructures and their relationships, and uses weighted graphs to represent properties. The graph represented property is then induced into a group of properties by induction mechanisms. This process is conducted automatically. The contribution of this paper is a method to automate the design function decomposition.