Polidi, Danny Israel, authorChandrasekar, V., advisorBorky, Mike, committee memberBradley, Thomas, committee memberPopat, Ketul, committee member2022-08-292022-08-292022https://hdl.handle.net/10217/235688Lack of adequate cost analysis tools early in the design life cycle of a system contributes to non-optimal system design choices both in performance and cost. Modern software packages exist that perform complex physics-based simulations. Physics based simulations alone typically do not consider cost as a factor or input variable. Modern software packages exist which calculate cost and can aid in determining the cost sensitivity to a chosen design solution. It should be possible to combine the system sensitivity to cost with the system sensitivity to performance. Methods and algorithms are needed to determine which components in a system would most significantly contribute towards the impact to the overall cost and which design alternatives provide the best value to the system. These methods and algorithms are needed during concept development to aid in system scoping and cost estimation. In the bidding phase of a system design, most of the time is typically spent determining cost. System design trades are either seldomly done or abbreviated. This has not been preferable because the system design becomes locked into place long before significant trades have been performed. And the solution may not be optimal for either cost or performance. This paper reviews the research performed and includes work in creating a cost model based on a set of questions & answers to drive system design, electronic design work applicable to the specific subsystem element FLO (Frequency Locked Oscillator), development of a standardized modular diagram and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a RADAR System applied to military aerospace applications in the aerospace industry, and the development of a cost sensitivity algorithm. The goal of the research and cost sensitivity algorithm was to allow the system designer the ability to optimize for both cost and performance early in the system design cycle.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.sensitivity analysiscost analysissystem engineeringText