TCD-CS-93-29. Keane M.T. Smyth, B. & Finn, D.
Design Synthesis: A Model of Hierarchical Case-Based Reasoning.
December 1993.
ABSTRACT
A variety of artificial intelligence techniques have been used in
attempts to automate design synthesis tasks. Two common
approaches are case-based and decompositional design. While
powerful techniques in their own right, their integration has lead to a
new generation of design synthesis systems capable of tackling a
larger range of problems with greater effectiveness. In this paper
previous attempts at integrating these approaches are examined in a
number of design systems. Although significant advances have been
made, important shortcomings still exist. The main focus of this
paper is to address the limitations of these design synthesis models.
To this end Deja' Vu, a new hybrid model of design synthesis, has
been developed and is described. Deja' Vu integrates decompositional
and case-based approaches in a framework that exploits the power
of experiential knowledge, and benefits from far greater domain
applicability when compared to existing design techniques. Two
implementations of this model, that are targeted at real-world
software design tasks, have yielded encouraging preliminary results
and are also described in this paper.
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