Modular design
Encyclopedia
Modular design, or "modularity in design" is an approach that subdivides a system into smaller parts (modules) that can be independently created and then used in different systems to drive multiple functionalities. A modular system can be characterized by the following:
Besides reduction in cost (due to lesser customization, and less learning time), and flexibility in design, modularity offers other benefits such as augmentation (adding new solution by merely plugging in a new module), and exclusion. Examples of modular systems are car
s, computers and high rise
buildings. Earlier examples include loom
s, railroad signaling systems, telephone exchanges, pipe organ
s and electric power distribution
systems. Computers use modularity to overcome changing customer demands and to make the manufacturing process more adaptive to change (see modular programming
). Modular design is an attempt to combine the advantages of standardization (high volume normally equals low manufacturing costs) with those of customization. A downside to modularity (and this depends on the extent of modularity) is that modular systems are not optimized for performance. This is usually due to the cost of putting up interfaces between modules.
A simple example of modular design in cars is the fact that, while many cars come as a basic model, paying extra will allow for "snap in" upgrades such as a more powerful engine or seasonal tires; these do not require any change to other units of the car such as the chassis, steering or exhaust systems.
Modular design can be seen in certain buildings, especially modular buildings. Modular buildings (and also modular homes) generally consist of universal parts (or modules) that are manufactured in a factory
and then shipped to a build site where they are assembled into a variety of arrangements.
Modular buildings can be added to or reduced in size by adding or removing certain components. This can be done without altering larger portions of the building. Modular buildings can also undergo changes in functionality using the same process of adding or removing modular components.
For example, an office
building can be built using modular parts such as walls, frames, doors, and windows. The office interior can then be partitioned (or divided) with more walls and furnished with desks, computers, and whatever else is needed for a functioning workspace. If the office needs to be expanded or redivided to accommodate employees, modular components such as wall panels can be added or relocated to make the necessary changes without altering the whole building. Later on, this same office can be broken down and rearranged to form a retail
space, conference hall
or any other possible type of building using the same modular components that originally formed the office building. The new building can then be refurnished with whatever items are needed to carry out its desired functions.
A computer is actually one of the best examples of modular design - typical modules are Power supply unit (computer)
s, processors
, mainboards, graphics cards, hard drives, optical drives, etc. All of these parts should be easily interchangeable as long as you use parts that support the same standard interface as the part you replaced.
Another form of modular design in computers was introduced in January 2011 when Xi3 Corporation unveiled its Xi3 Modular Computer at the 2011 International CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. An Innovations Award winner in the Computer Hardware category for CES 2011, the Xi3 Modular Computer utilizes an x86-based environment the company calls the Xi3 Computer Architecture to subdivide the classic motherboard into three interconnected boards or modules: the Processor Module, the Primary I/O Module and the Secondary I/O Module. Salt Lake City-based Xi3 claims the two I/O modules can be easily replaced to modify and/or change the capabilities or performance of an Xi3 Modular Computer, making the computer modular by design and in practice. According to multiple news reports, general availability of the Xi3 Modular Computer is scheduled to begin 4 July 2011.
- (1) Functional partitioning into discrete scalable, reusable modules consisting of isolated, self-contained functional elements
- (2) Rigorous use of well-defined modular interfaces, including object-oriented descriptions of module functionality
- (3) Ease of change to achieve technology transparency and, to the extent possible, make use of industry standards for key interfaces.
Besides reduction in cost (due to lesser customization, and less learning time), and flexibility in design, modularity offers other benefits such as augmentation (adding new solution by merely plugging in a new module), and exclusion. Examples of modular systems are car
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s, computers and high rise
High Rise
High Rise is a 1975 novel by J. G. Ballard. It takes place in an ultra-modern, luxury high-rise building.-Plot summary:The building seems to give its well-established tenants all the conveniences and commodities that modern life has to offer: swimming pools, its own school, a supermarket,...
buildings. Earlier examples include loom
Loom
A loom is a device used to weave cloth. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads...
s, railroad signaling systems, telephone exchanges, pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
s and electric power distribution
Electric power distribution
File:Electricity grid simple- North America.svg|thumb|380px|right|Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers...
systems. Computers use modularity to overcome changing customer demands and to make the manufacturing process more adaptive to change (see modular programming
Modular programming
Modular programming is a software design technique that increases the extent to which software is composed of separate, interchangeable components called modules by breaking down program functions into modules, each of which accomplishes one function and contains everything necessary to accomplish...
). Modular design is an attempt to combine the advantages of standardization (high volume normally equals low manufacturing costs) with those of customization. A downside to modularity (and this depends on the extent of modularity) is that modular systems are not optimized for performance. This is usually due to the cost of putting up interfaces between modules.
Proper inter-modular design
Recognizing that excessive inter-module dependencies are an indicator of poor software design, a system should be intended to be loosely coupled to avoid unnecessary dependencies. Thus, inter-modular design should be easy to work with because modules can be easily understood in isolation, and changes or extensions to functionality would be easily localized.Modular design in cars
Aspects of modular design can be seen in cars or other vehicles to the extent of there being certain parts to the car that can be added or removed without altering the rest of the car.A simple example of modular design in cars is the fact that, while many cars come as a basic model, paying extra will allow for "snap in" upgrades such as a more powerful engine or seasonal tires; these do not require any change to other units of the car such as the chassis, steering or exhaust systems.
Modular design in buildings
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
and then shipped to a build site where they are assembled into a variety of arrangements.
Modular buildings can be added to or reduced in size by adding or removing certain components. This can be done without altering larger portions of the building. Modular buildings can also undergo changes in functionality using the same process of adding or removing modular components.
For example, an office
Office
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
building can be built using modular parts such as walls, frames, doors, and windows. The office interior can then be partitioned (or divided) with more walls and furnished with desks, computers, and whatever else is needed for a functioning workspace. If the office needs to be expanded or redivided to accommodate employees, modular components such as wall panels can be added or relocated to make the necessary changes without altering the whole building. Later on, this same office can be broken down and rearranged to form a retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
space, conference hall
Conference hall
A conference hall or conference room is a room provided for singular events such as business conferences and meetings. It is commonly found at large hotels and convention centers though many other establishments, including even hospitals, have one. Sometimes other rooms are modified for large...
or any other possible type of building using the same modular components that originally formed the office building. The new building can then be refurnished with whatever items are needed to carry out its desired functions.
Modular design in computer hardware
Modular design in computer hardware is the same as modular design in other things (e.g. cars, fridges, even furniture). The idea is to build computers with easily replaceable parts that use standardized interfaces. This technique allows you to upgrade certain aspects of the computer easily without having to buy another computer altogether.A computer is actually one of the best examples of modular design - typical modules are Power supply unit (computer)
Power supply unit (computer)
A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of the computer. Modern personal computers universally use a switched-mode power supply...
s, processors
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
, mainboards, graphics cards, hard drives, optical drives, etc. All of these parts should be easily interchangeable as long as you use parts that support the same standard interface as the part you replaced.
Another form of modular design in computers was introduced in January 2011 when Xi3 Corporation unveiled its Xi3 Modular Computer at the 2011 International CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. An Innovations Award winner in the Computer Hardware category for CES 2011, the Xi3 Modular Computer utilizes an x86-based environment the company calls the Xi3 Computer Architecture to subdivide the classic motherboard into three interconnected boards or modules: the Processor Module, the Primary I/O Module and the Secondary I/O Module. Salt Lake City-based Xi3 claims the two I/O modules can be easily replaced to modify and/or change the capabilities or performance of an Xi3 Modular Computer, making the computer modular by design and in practice. According to multiple news reports, general availability of the Xi3 Modular Computer is scheduled to begin 4 July 2011.
See also
- HolismHolismHolism is the idea that all the properties of a given system cannot be determined or explained by its component parts alone...
- HolarchyHolarchyA holarchy, in the terminology of Arthur Koestler, is a connection between holons – where a holon is both a part and a whole. The term was coined in Koestler's 1967 book The Ghost in the Machine...
- Integrating functionalityIntegrating functionalityIntegrating functionality is a process of modifying an existing design to increase the list of functional capabilities. The goal of such a process is to create products and devices with broad applications...
- Modular Function DeploymentModular Function DeploymentModular function deployment is a systematic method and procedure for company-supportive product modularization.-Five steps:MFD consists of five major steps. It starts with quality function deployment analysis to establish customer requirements and to identify important design requirements with a...
- Modular programmingModular programmingModular programming is a software design technique that increases the extent to which software is composed of separate, interchangeable components called modules by breaking down program functions into modules, each of which accomplishes one function and contains everything necessary to accomplish...
- Separation of concernsSeparation of concernsIn computer science, separation of concerns is the process of separating a computer program into distinct features that overlap in functionality as little as possible. A concern is any piece of interest or focus in a program. Typically, concerns are synonymous with features or behaviors...
- Systems engineeringSystems engineeringSystems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering projects should be designed and managed over the life cycle of the project. Issues such as logistics, the coordination of different teams, and automatic control of machinery become more...
- Modular buildingModular buildingModular buildings and modular homes are sectional prefabricated buildings or houses that consist of multiple modules or sections which are built in a remote facility and then delivered to their intended site of use...
Further reading
- Erixon, O.G. and Ericsson, A., "Controlling Design Variants" USA: Society of Manufacturing Engineers 1999http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-item.pl?BK99PUB16&2&SME ISBN 0-87263-514-7 http://users.du.se/~gex/index.htm
- Clark, K.B. and Baldwin, C.Y., "Design Rules. Vol. 1: The Power of Modularity" Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press 2000 ISBN 0-262-02466-7
- Baldwin, C.Y., Clark, K.B., "The Option Value of Modularity in Design" Harvard Business School, 2002 http://www.people.hbs.edu/cbaldwin/DR2/DR1Option.pdf
- Modularity in Design Formal Modeling & Automated Analysis
- "Modularity: upgrading to the next generation design architecture", an interview