by James Chieks
Abstract
This paper addresses the implementation of the virtual corporation within the context of rapid signal processor design. The paper examines one paper and one presentation, items [1] and [2], written by the Rapid Prototyping Application Specific Signal Processors (RASSP) Lockheed Sanders Team. The Lockheed Sanders Team comprises four companies, Sanders, Motorola, Hughes and ISX. The Lockheed Sanders team members work as an entity to achieve the RASSP goals of 4X improvement in time-to-market, life-cycle cost and design quality. The references present processes, tools and enabling methodologies allowing team members collaborative, concurrent design of the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) processor. A summary of these references follows. The RASSP Design Environment (RDE) evolution presents advances in enterprise integration. Necessary processes and technologies presented drive further advances toward the virtual corporation.
1. Review
Brief summaries of previous works provide background and a foundation for advancing the virtual corporation. The author encourages the reading of the actual works in conjunction with this paper.
1.1 Collaborative VHDL Modeling Within the RASSP Program Demonstration Project
Reference [1] describes the deployment of a virtual technical design environment employing electronic collocation. The key factor was the choice to use the IEEE 1076 specification for VHDL as an interoperable design language across heterogeneous computing environments. Exchange of VHDL source code supported concurrent development of a design partitioned among three companies. Additional processes and techniques implemented to support multi-site use of VHDL included:
- Operating within an Integrated Product and Process Development Team (IPPDT).
- Daily teleconference meetings to address status.
- Internet based email for data delivery, code debug and coordinative communications.
- Video Conferencing for collaborative program reviews.
- Desktop Conferencing as a collaborative review medium.
- Multi-platform (Sun Microsystems & Hewlett Packard workstations), multi-node, internet-hosted, virtual design database.
- Data Mirroring between design database nodes to preclude bandwidth issues associated with transparent network access.
- Common directory structures among nodes to support data mirroring
- 24 hour availability.
- Background processing in the UNIX operating system for task automation. Use of source code management scripts to maintain data coherency between sites. File Transfer Protocol (ftp) as the bulk data movement utility.
- Tar compression to reduce Internet loading.
- Scripted utilities to automate and standardize the VHDL source code build.
- A Data Promotion scheme to support build dependencies and implement information hiding between sites.
- Design partitioning strategy that minimized complex interaction between sites.
- Common multi-platform design environment software at each team member site.
- Security measures for data encryption.
- Security measures to allow database access only to RASSP team members.
The above strategy resulted in the successful completion of a design and implementation where participants rarely met face-to-face. Reference [1] presents the following obstacles.
- Time zone differences.
- Email delivery delays.
- Visual electronic collocation limitations (slow update rates, limited visibility). The video conferencing environment suffers from bandwidth limitations resulting in less than real time response. As a result of the IRST project, RASSP use of video teleconferencing is limited to:
- Early project contact to establish team rapport.
- Critical program stages where project direction is being established.
- Internet bandwidth limitations. Due to bandwidth limitations the IRST performed automated bulk data movement of compressed files during non-peak hours.
- Necessity of Non-VHDL graphical methods for communicating design complexities. The IRST project used design tool specific features where it assisted understanding complexities.
Two recommendations from reference [1] include:
- Use of ‘make’ files in place of script files for the VHDL build process.
- A VHDL file naming structure that supports configuration control in the build process. Since the IRST project, RASSP developed a VHDL coding style guide that incorporates directory and file naming conventions for collaborative design.
1.2 Achieving Electronic Collocation for Collaborative Work Groups On RASSP
Reference [2] presents several tools needed for electronic collocation (many covered in reference [1]). Specific tools and network architectures are mentioned with an explanation of their function within RASSP. Also introduced is the use of the World Wide Web and email list servers in the RASSP program as alternative data distribution medium. The web contributes greatly to enterprise integration by providing ready access to documents in the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) as well as providing a graphical interface to documents on the ftp server. The RASSP IPPDT has benefited from the publishing of the RASSP top-down design process. Use of the Web has incorporated enterprise security features such as IP address screening and password-protected access.
Several needs within the RASSP collaborative electronic collocation workspace are addressed within Reference [2] including:
- The need to plan deployment of file server based data and documents.
- Platform independent scalable security.
- The investment and organizational commitment needed or successful electronic collocation.
- The benefit of establishing initial relationships face-to-face prior to electronic collocation.
- The difficulty of implementing project management systems in an electronic collocation workspace.
2. Enterprise Integration in the RDE
RASSP is advancing the enterprise integration with the evolution of the RDE and process development on RASSP. The RDE facilitates Integrated Product and Process Development by providing a collaborative development environment. The RDE supports automating the development process to improve product development, specifically concerning cycle time, product cost, and product quality.
The RDE is part of the RASSP Rolling Wave. The Rolling Wave incorporates the iterative "Model Year" methodology with the IRST distributed development environment representing RDE Model Year 0. Subsequent iterations of the RDE have resulted in a RDE Prototype (hot mock-up) and RDE Release 1.0. Each iteration incorporates improvements in enterprise integration.
2.1 RDE Prototype
The RDE Prototype consists of a simulated distributed design tool framework. The prototype serves as a research vehicle. A wide variety of engineers and program managers from three companies experienced the look and feel of a distributed design environment. Among the concepts proposed by the prototype are:
- Security: A more robust and secure distributed database
- Ease of Use: A Graphical User Interface based on the UNIX/X-Windows standard
- Distributed Operation: The ability to install client-side utilities and third party tools.
- Electronic Collocation: An integrated collaborative work environment for conducting on-line desktop screen sharing.
- Accessibility: Data file search capabilities
- Measurability: Automated design metrics capture.
2.2 RDE Release 1.0
The knowledge gained through the development and demonstration of the RDE Prototype proved invaluable in the design and implementation of RDE Release 1.0. The additional enterprise integration concepts incorporated include:
- Replication: The RDE operates in beta site installations consisting of government, industry and academic settings. Training provided by RASSP staff acclimates users and administrators. The RDE is delivered on magnetic tape and built on the host processor by RASSP staff.
- Greater Platform Independence was demonstrated.
- RDE Servers: Sun Sparc w/SunOS, Hewlett Packard.
- RDA Clients: Sun Sparc, w/SunOS, Macintosh
- Increased Security: Use of third party application providing DES data encryption (Hughes’ ‘Netlock”).
- Increased Data Hiding: Role assignments and file access privileges.
- Data Tendering: The capture and recording of situational parameters along with data submission.
- Scalability: Supporting large numbers of nodes, clients and tools.
Some issues identified during RDE development reside outside the domain of tool-based solutions. These are people issues. The success of electronic collocation is rooted in the rapport established among the distributed staff. Face-to-face interaction is essential early in the program. Differences in management style and work cultures lower communication bandwidth in an electronic environment. Program management should sponsor an "all-hands" program overview event for the team to get acquainted. Video taping this event acclimates and provides training for employees that join the program later. Initial relationships are re-enforced using video conferencing for early stages of the program. The benefits of video conferencing decrease as working relationships increase the communication bandwidth. Adding structure to daily and weekly operations also increases bandwidth. RASSP teams meet regularly in teleconferences. Structured meeting agendas, meeting minutes and action item tracking improve team awareness and progress.
2.3 Future Requirements
For future tool development, modularity and open architecture design are enabling characteristics. The electronic collocation architecture needs an open interface. This supports third party tool suppliers to develop plug and play modules or to develop data format translators between incompatible tools.
References
[1] Collaborative VHDL Modeling within the RASSP Program Demonstration Project: Ray Dreiling, Paul Kalutkiewicz, Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Company, Mike McCollough Hughes Aerospace & Electronics Company. December 1991
[2] Achieving Electronic Collocation for Collaborative Work Groups On RASSP, Karen Amestoy Hughes Aircraft, November 8, 1994
[3] The Extended Enterprise: A descriptive Framework, Some Enabling Technologies and Case studies in the Lotus Notes Environment. Michael Bloch and Yves Pigeur, Ecole des HEC, University of Lausanne, Journal for Strategic Information Systems
Sun, Sparc and SunOS are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems Inc. Hewlett Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett - Packard Company. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/Open Ltd. X Windows System is a registered trademark and product of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
James Chieks
Hughes Aircraft
m/s RE/R01/A508
P.O.Box 92426
Los Angeles CA, 90009-2426
chieks@rassp.hac.com
[RASSP Home Page]
The RASSP Digest - Vol. 3, 1st. Qtr. 1996
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