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Architecture Interconnect Diagram

Purpose

Depicts the system architecture from a logical point of view.

Example:

example of an architecture interconnect diagram (AID)

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:

ACD link to CD (collaberative Diagrams)

Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description
Definition
Expansion
AID comment

Comment

Makes a note anywhere in the diagram. Are always surrounded by * characters.

None

None

AID Boundary

Boundary point

A connection point for the initial transition to enter the initial state.

None

None

AID Terminator

Terminator

Represents external system or environment to this system

Terminator Description

None

AID Picture

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

AID Circular component

Circular component


Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology)

PSpec

AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF

AID Rectangular component

Rectangular component

Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology)

PSpec

AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF

AID Triangular Component

Triangular component

Represents a system item categorised as a component (optional symbology)

PSpec

AID
DFD
BD
UCD
IDF

AID Circular element

Circular element

Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology)

None

None

AID Rectangular element

Rectangular element

Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology)

None

None

AID Triangular element

Triangular element

Represents a system item categorised as an element (optional symbology)

None

None

AID Data link

Data link

Represents low volume connection for data link

DD Entry

None

AID Data channel

Data channel

Represents high volume channel connection for complex or large data link

DD Entry

None

AID Signal link

Signal link

Represents low volume connection for signal link

DD Entry

None

AID signal channel

Signal channel

Represents high volume channel connection for complex or large signal link

DD Entry

None

 

 
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