Data transmission in multidisciplinary design optimization using a platform-independent data structure

The design, analysis, and optimization of complex systems, including aircraft, microchips, and chemical plants, is increasingly being performed using widely distributed design groups. The optimization of such complex systems requires that these design groups actively share their data in an effort to develop a better design. Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) has developed a wide variety of tools and techniques to assist in the analysis and optimization of these highly complex systems. This work focuses on the development of an XML-based and generic data architecture that could be applied to MDO problems by combining optimization data and analysis data into a platform-independent format. This format can be used as a foundation for development of distributed MDO tools by governing the data exchange between disciplinary analysis tools, optimizers, and user interfaces. The architecture is implemented using sample MDO problems ranging from existing test cases and simulated larger scale optimization problems. The use of the data in multiple independently developed MDO applications is also demonstrated. The data structure presented demonstrates the potential benefit of a future extensible and platform-independent data-passing model for use in MDO systems.