Integrated Product and Process Design of Microwave Modules Using AI Planning and Integer Programming

Abstract

Abstract:This paper describes the process planning techniques we developed for use in an Integrated Product and Process Design (IPPD) tool for the design and manufacture of microwave transmit/receive modules. Given a collection of data about the design of a microwave module, the IPPD tool uses a combination of AI planning and optimization-based tradeoff analysis to produce a collection of alternative designs and alternative process plans that have Pareto optimal values for manufacturing and purchasing lead time, process yield, cost, and number of suppliers. The IPPD tool provides a GUI for generating and examining these alternatives in real time, to help users modify the design to improve its cost and productivity.