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Multilevel semantic analysis and problem-solving in the flight-domain

The use of knowledge-base architecture and planning control; mechanisms to perform an intelligent monitoring task in the flight domain is addressed. The route level, the trajectory level, and parts of the aerodynamics level are demonstrated. Hierarchical planning and monitoring conceptual levels, functional-directed mechanism rationalization, and using deep-level mechanism models for diagnoses of dependent failures are discussed.

Chien, R. T.

Management of CAD/CAM information: Key to improved manufacturing productivity

A key element to improved industry productivity is effective management of CAD/CAM information. To stimulate advancements in this area, a joint NASA/Navy/Industry project designated Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD) is underway with the goal of raising aerospace industry productivity through advancement of technology to integrate and manage information involved in the design and manufacturing process. The project complements traditional NASA/DOD research to develop aerospace design technology and the Air Force's Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program to advance CAM technology. IPAD research is guided by an Industry Technical Advisory Board (ITAB) composed of over 100 repesentatives from aerospace and computer companies. The IPAD accomplishments to date in development of requirements and prototype software for various levels of company-wide CAD/CAM data management are summarized and plans for development of technology for management of distributed CAD/CAM data and information required to control future knowledge-based CAD/CAM systems are discussed.

Fulton, R. E.

Computational aerodynamics and artificial intelligence

Some aspects of artificial intelligence are considered and questions are speculated on, including how knowledge-based systems can accelerate the process of acquiring new knowledge in aerodynamics, how computational fluid dynamics may use 'expert' systems and how expert systems may speed the design and development process. The anatomy of an idealized expert system called AERODYNAMICIST is discussed. Resource requirements are examined for using artificial intelligence in computational fluid dynamics and aerodynamics. Considering two of the essentials of computational aerodynamics - reasoniing and calculating - it is believed that a substantial part of the reasoning can be achieved with artificial intelligence, with computers being used as reasoning machines to set the stage for calculating. Expert systems will probably be new assets of institutions involved in aeronautics for various tasks of computational aerodynamics.

Kutler, P.

A relational approach to the development of expert diagnostic systems

The proposition that, given a structural and/or functional description of any real or abstract system, an expert system can be built based on this description is examined. First, a model is developed for a microprocessor-controlled end effector/sensor system using a modeling approach called a relational Knowledge-Base Machine (RKBM). Next, an explanation of how the end effector model could be used for the error diagnosis on the operational end effector is given and two versions of an error diagnosis algorithm based on the model are presented. Finally, areas of further research are described that are necessary before an expert system using this approach becomes a reality.

Ames, K. R.

The potential of expert systems for remote sensing application

An overview of the status and potential of artificial intelligence-driven expert systems in the role of image data analysis is presented. An expert system is defined and its structure is summarized. Three such systems designed for image interpretation are outlined. The use of an expert system to detect changes on the earth's surface is discussed, and the components of a knowledge-based image interpretation system and their make-up are outlined. An example of how such a system should work for an area in the tropics where deforestation has occurred is presented as a sequence of situation/action decisions.

Mooneyhan, D. W.

LOX Expert System

The LOX Expert System is a computer program which uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to diagnose instrumentation problems in the shuttle liquid oxygen fueling system. The KNOBS knowledge-based system is being modified for application to this problem. System functionality and fault isolation methods are described.

Scarl, E. A.

Program for Experimentation With Expert Systems

CERBERUS is forward-chaining, knowledge-based system program useful for experimentation with expert systems. Inference-engine mechanism performs deductions according to user-supplied rule set. Information stored in intermediate area, and user interrogated only when no applicable data found in storage. Each assertion posed by CERBERUS answered with certainty ranging from 0 to 100 percent. Rule processor stops investigating applicable rules when goal reaches certainty of 95 percent or higher. Capable of operating for wide variety of domains. Sample rule files included for animal identification, pixel classification in image processing, and rudimentary car repair for novice mechanic. User supplies set of end goals or actions. System complexity decided by user's rule file. CERBERUS written in FORTRAN 77.

Engle, S. W.

Proceedings of Tenth Annual Software Engineering Workshop

Papers are presented on the following topics: measurement of software technology, recent studies of the Software Engineering Lab, software management tools, expert systems, error seeding as a program validation technique, software quality assurance, software engineering environments (including knowledge-based environments), the Distributed Computing Design System, and various Ada experiments.

Source record

Computers in Aerospace Conference, 5th, Long Beach, CA, October 21-23, 1985, Technical Papers

Among the topics discussed are: access control models for a distributed CAIS-conforming system; a knowledge-based advisory system for casualty procedures; and automated interactive simulation modeling system. Consideration is also given to: reusable software concepts and software development methodologies; the electronic device aspects of neutral network memories; an expert system for automated satellite anomaly resolution; and the use of automatic programming techniques for fault-tolerant computing systems. Among additional topics discussed are: systems approaches to software fault tolerance; a Space Shuttle navigation validation system; and a vision-based road following system for an autonomous land vehicle.

Source record

An investigation of the 'von Restorff' phenomenon in post-test workload ratings

The von Restorff effect in post-task ratings of task difficulty is examined. Nine subjects performed a hovercraft simulation task which combined elements of skill-based tracking and rule- and knowledge-based process control for five days of one hour sessions. The effects of isolated increases in workload on rating of task performance, and on the number of command errors and river band hits are analyzed. It is observed that the position of the workload increase affects the number of bank hits and command errors. The data reveal that factors not directly related to the task performance influence subjective rating, and post-task ratings of workload are biased.

Thornton, D. C.

Perspectives on knowledge in engineering design

Various perspectives are given of the knowledge currently used in engineering design, specifically dealing with knowledge-based expert systems (KBES). Constructing an expert system often reveals inconsistencies in domain knowledge while formalizing it. The types of domain knowledge (facts, procedures, judgments, and control) differ from the classes of that knowledge (creative, innovative, and routine). The feasible tasks for expert systems can be determined based on these types and classes of knowledge. Interpretive tasks require reasoning about a task in light of the knowledge available, where generative tasks create potential solutions to be tested against constraints. Only after classifying the domain by type and level can the engineer select a knowledge-engineering tool for the domain being considered. The critical features to be weighed after classification are knowledge representation techniques, control strategies, interface requirements, compatibility with traditional systems, and economic considerations.

Rasdorf, W. J.

Issues in rule identification and logical induction

The relationship between language and empirical fitting of data is discussed. The production system is presented as an appropriate description of human behavior in Man-Machine systems. Issues arising in the identification of rules from data are examined. Rules identified through logical generalization are shown to be equivocal. Difficulties arising from the use of logic-based procedures with human performance data containing errors are explored. Problems relating to rule sets which are not disjoint are discussed and a solution presented. Significant testing issues are raised for rule identification and a procedure based on controlling contrivedness is presented. A synthesis of data and knowledge-based approaches is suggested as a remedy to many of the difficulties discussed.

Lewis, C. M.

Influence of analysis and design models on minimum weight design

The results of numerical experiments designed to illustrate how the minimum weight design, accuracy, and cost can be influenced by: (1) refinement of the finite element analysis model and associated load path problems, and (2) refinement of the design variable linking model are examined. The numerical experiments range from simple structures where the modelling decisions are relatively obvious and less costly to the more complex structures where such decisions are less obvious and more costly. All numerical experiments used employ the dual formulation in ACCESS-3 computer program. Guidelines are suggested for creating analysis and design models that predict a minimum weight structure with greater accuracy and less cost. These guidelines can be useful in an interactive optimization environment and in the design of heuristic rules for the development of knowledge-based expert optimization systems.

Salama, M.

On the utilization of engineering knowledge in design optimization

Some current research work conducted at the University of Michigan is described to illustrate efforts for incorporating knowledge in optimization in a nontraditional way. The incorporation of available knowledge in a logic structure is examined in two circumstances. The first examines the possibility of introducing global design information in a local active set strategy implemented during the iterations of projection-type algorithms for nonlinearly constrained problems. The technique used algorithms for nonlinearly constrained problems. The technique used combines global and local monotinicity analysis of the objective and constraint functions. The second examines a knowledge-based program which aids the user to create condigurations that are most desirable from the manufacturing assembly viewpoint. The data bank used is the classification scheme suggested by Boothroyd. The important aspect of this program is that it is an aid for synthesis intended for use in the design concept phase in a way similar to the so-called idea-triggers in creativity-enhancement techniques like brain-storming. The idea generation, however, is not random but it is driven by the goal of achieving the best acceptable configuration.

Papalambros, P.

Sensor-based fault diagnosis in a flight expert system

A prototype of a knowledge-based flight expert system (FLES) has been developed to assist airplane pilots in monitoring, analyzing, and diagnosing faults and to provide support in reducing the pilot's own mistakes. A sensor simulation model has been developed to provide FLES with the airplane status information during the diagnostic process. The simulator is based partly on the Advanced Concept System (ACS), a future-generation airplane, and partly on the Boeing 737, an existing airplane. The architecture of FLES contains several subsystems. One of the major subsystems performs fault diagnosis in the electrical system of the ACS. This paper describes the mechanism and functionality of the automatic diagnosis performed in this expert system.

Ali, M.

Expert systems and simulation models; Proceedings of the Seminar, Tucson, AZ, November 18, 19, 1985

The seminar presents papers on modeling and simulation methodology, artificial intelligence and expert systems, environments for simulation/expert system development, and methodology for simulation/expert system development. Particular attention is given to simulation modeling concepts and their representation, modular hierarchical model specification, knowledge representation, and rule-based diagnostic expert system development. Other topics include the combination of symbolic and discrete event simulation, real time inferencing, and the management of large knowledge-based simulation projects.

Source record

Knowledge based systems: A preliminary survey of selected issues and techniques

It is only recently that research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accomplishing practical results. Most of these results can be attributed to the design and use of expert systems (or Knowledge-Based Systems, KBS) - problem-solving computer programs that can reach a level of performance comparable to that of a human expert in some specialized problem domain. But many computer systems designed to see images, hear sounds, and recognize speech are still in a fairly early stage of development. In this report, a preliminary survey of recent work in the KBS is reported, explaining KBS concepts and issues and techniques used to construct them. Application considerations to construct the KBS and potential KBS research areas are identified. A case study (MYCIN) of a KBS is also provided.

Dominick, Wayne D.

Knowledge Based Systems: A Critical Survey of Major Concepts, Issues, and Techniques

This Working Paper Series entry presents a detailed survey of knowledge based systems. After being in a relatively dormant state for many years, only recently is Artificial Intelligence (AI) - that branch of computer science that attempts to have machines emulate intelligent behavior - accomplishing practical results. Most of these results can be attributed to the design and use of Knowledge-Based Systems, KBSs (or ecpert systems) - problem solving computer programs that can reach a level of performance comparable to that of a human expert in some specialized problem domain. These systems can act as a consultant for various requirements like medical diagnosis, military threat analysis, project risk assessment, etc. These systems possess knowledge to enable them to make intelligent desisions. They are, however, not meant to replace the human specialists in any particular domain. A critical survey of recent work in interactive KBSs is reported. A case study (MYCIN) of a KBS, a list of existing KBSs, and an introduction to the Japanese Fifth Generation Computer Project are provided as appendices. Finally, an extensive set of KBS-related references is provided at the end of the report.

Dominick, Wayne D.