The top-down development methodology is, for the most part, a well defined subject. There is, however, one area of top-down development that lacks structure and definition. The undefined topic is the hardware, software, and firmware allocation of functions. This research addresses this deficiency in top-down system development. The key objective is the restructuring of the hardware, software, and firmware process from a subjective, qualitative decision process to a structured, quantitative one.

Factors that affect the hardware, software, and firmware allocation process are identified. Qualitative data on the influence of the factors on the allocation process are systematized into quantitative information. This information is used to develop a model to provide a recommendation for implementing a function in hardware, software, or firmware. The model applies three analytical methods: 1) the analytic hierarchy process, 2) the general linear model, and 3) the second order regression technique. These three methods are applied to the quantified information of the hardware, software, firmware allocation process. A computer-based software tool is developed by this research to aid in the evaluation of the hardware, software, and firmware allocation process. The software support tool assists in data collection. Future application of the support tool will enable the capture and documentation of expert knowledge on the hardware, software, and firmware allocation process. The improved knowledge base can be used to improve the model which in tum will improve the system development process, and resulting system.