Architecture Interconnect Diagram
Purpose
Depicts the system architecture from a logical point of view.
Example:

Description
Contains a representation of the logical structure of a system architecture, consisting of components (whose contents are to be defined) and elements (whose contents are, it has been decided, not to be defined). Both components and elements can be shown as rectangular, triangular and circular symbols, to follow an optional project-specific convention.
Components and equipments are connected by bi-directional data connections, representing system buses or point-to-point connections. Two forms of connections are provided, data and signal (primarily for the conveyance of control signals). For low volume connections (connections either conveying few pieces of data and/or a limited number of data packets), the data or signal link symbols are provided, shown as thin lines. For connections conveying large and/or complex data, the channel symbols are provided, shown as thick lines.
All components are defined by PSpecs and can be decomposed into a lower-level diagram:
-
Another AID
-
A Data Flow Diagram (DFD)
-
A Behaviour Diagram (BD), also called an extended Function Flow Block Diagram (eFFBD)
-
An IDEF0 diagram
-
A UML Use Case Diagram (UCD)
Strengths
Allow a clear representation of parallel, sequential and iterative behaviour, including synchronisation of parallel execution threads.
Weaknesses
Limited to the contents of a single class, and inherently non-hierarchical, with no opportunities for re-use of functionality other than complex class inheritance.
Recommended Uses
Functionality of classes, if the classes are deemed to be sufficiently complex.
Diagram Conversions
None.
Characteristics
APPEARS IN MODELS: Implementation
NUMBERING: Same as the class
HIERARCHICAL: No
Linkage:
Symbols
Symbol |
Name |
Description |
Definition |
Expansion |
|
Comment |
Makes a note anywhere in the diagram. Are always surrounded by * characters. |
None |
None |
|
Boundary point |
A connection point for the initial transition to enter the initial state. |
None |
None |
|
Terminator |
Represents external system or environment to this system |
Terminator Description |
None |
|
Picture |
Allows you to choose the location of a GIF or JPEG image to be displayed as a diagram symbol or to be embedded in an existing diagram symbol. |
None |
None |
|
Circular component |
Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology)
|
PSpec |
AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF |
|
Rectangular component |
Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology) |
PSpec |
AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF |
|
Triangular component |
Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology) |
PSpec |
AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF |
|
Circular element |
Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology) |
None |
None |
|
Rectangular element |
Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology) |
None |
None |
|
Triangular element |
Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology) |
None |
None |
|
Data link |
Represents low volume connection for data link |
DD Entry |
None |
|
Data channel |
Represents high volume channel connection for complex or large data link |
DD Entry |
None |
|
Signal link |
Represents low volume connection for signal link |
DD Entry |
None |
|
Signal channel |
Represents high volume channel connection for complex or large signal link |
DD Entry |
None |
|