Abstract

Reconfigurability in systems can be the technical means of responding to change. Reconfigurable systems can attain different configurations at different times thereby altering their functional capabilities. This system property is thus important when the underlying aim is to design not just for the short-term cost and performance goals, but also for long-term life-cycle issues. Due to the time varying nature of these systems, traditional design methods can be insufficient. A set of methods for modeling and evaluating reconfigurable systems are proposed. An example of a reconfigurable wheel for planetary surface vehicles is used to illustrate the application of these techniques. A survey of 33 different reconfigurable systems is also presented to provide broader insights and general design guidelines for reconfigurable systems. The modeling methods and design principles are synthesized in a general framework for Design for Reconfigurability.