Analytical target cascading (ATC) is a system design approach enabling top level design targets to be cascaded down to the lowest level of the modeling hierarchy. The steps involved are: (i) development of appropriate models, (ii) partitioning the system, (ii) formulating the target cascading problems for each element of the partition, and (iv) solving the partitioned problem through a coordination strategy to compute all stated targets. The figure gives a schematic of the target cascading process in systems engineering. Starting from the top design targets, design targets for each partitioned system are cascaded and the partitioned designs are evaluated. If targets cascaded to systems are not achievable or compatible, feedback is required resulting in an iterative target cascading process. If targets are cascaded in a coordinated fashion and decomposed systems can achieve the targets, then embodiment design follows to find a final system design.


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Harrison M. Kim

Enterprise Systems Optimization Lab at University of Illinois

Representative Publications
Kim, H.M., Kumar, D.K.D., Chen, W., and Papalambros, P.Y., "Target Exploration for Disconnected Feasible Regions in Enterprise-Driven Multilevel Product Design," AIAA Journal, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 67-77, 2006.
Cooper, A.B., Georgiopoulos, P., Kim, H.M., and Papalambros, P.Y., "Analytical Target Setting: An Enterprise Context in Optimal Product Design," Transactions of ASME: Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 128, No. 1, pp. 4-13, 2006. 
Kim, H.M., Rideout, D.G., Papalambros, P.Y., and Stein, J.L., "Analytical Target Cascading in Automotive Vehicle Design," Transaction of ASME: Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 125, pp. 474-480, 2003.

Kim, H.M., Michelena, N.F., Papalambros, P.Y., and Jiang, T., "Target Cascading in Optimal System Design," Transaction of ASME: Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 125, pp. 481-489, 2003.

Kokkolaras, M., Fellini, R., Kim, H.M., Michelena, N., and Papalambros, P., "Extension of the Target Cascading Formulation to the Design of Product Families," Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, Vol. 24, Issue 4, pp. 293-301, 2002.

Kim, H. M., Kokkolaras, M., Louca, L., Delagrammatikas, G., Michelena, N., Filipi, Z., Papalambros, P., and Assanis, D., "Target Cascading in Vehicle Redesign: A Class VI Truck Study," International Journal of Vehicle Design, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 199-225, 2002.

Kim, H.M., Target Cascading in Optimal System Design, Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 2001.

 

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Last Update: 2011
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