Mastering complexity leveraging digital threads for electronics systems design and manufacturing

The rapid advancement of technology and its integration into various industries, particularly the electronics sector, has led to a significant increase in complexity. Digital threads offer a seamless framework for data flow throughout a product’s lifecycle, from ideation to utilization, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making. They intersect various domains, ensuring information consistency and accessibility. This paper examines the concept of digital threads as a means of managing this complexity in electronic systems design and manufacturing, highlighting five integral threads: architecture, component, design data, verification, and manufacturing. Adopting digital threads becomes imperative for those seeking to navigate and thrive amidst the intricate landscape of electronic systems design and manufacturing.

Five critical digital threads

A digital thread is the communications framework
that allows a connected data flow and an integrated
view of product data throughout the product lifecycle – spanning ideation, realization, and utilization. This paper will dive deeper into five critical digital threads:

1. Architecture digital thread: This thread focuses on the early architecture of a system, bridging the gap between high-level requirements and
   detailed design. Enabling this thread facilitates
   effective power budget allocation, traceability,
   and iterative refinement.
2. Component digital thread: Addressing the broken
   component data exchange paradigm is vital.
   Standardized digital models of components
   through initiatives like JEDEC’s JEP30 standard is
   key to enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.
3. Design data digital thread: This thread represents
   a sophisticated framework aiming to seamlessly
   synchronize varied design data elements within
   a digital landscape. For example, coordinating
   ECAD (Electronic Computer-Aided Design) and
   MCAD (Mechanical Computer-Aided Design)
   design data to enable seamless collaboration and
   multi-domain simulations. This thread necessitates optimized data exchange formats, such as
   the IDX standard, to optimize design processes.
4. Verification digital thread: Complexity drives
   the need for thorough verification. Establishing
   a digital thread that traces requirements, test
   cases, and verification results fosters efficiency,
   enhances traceability, and facilitates continuous
   verification throughout the development cycle.
5. Manufacturing digital thread: The interaction
   between design and manufacturing is bidirec-
   tional. A robust manufacturing digital thread
   allows for continuous improvement by capturing
   manufacturing insights and enabling more
   informed, sustainable design decisions.