Validation of the Technician's Assister System (expert system)

The Technician's Assister System (TAS) was developed to demonstrate the feasibility for adaptation to the SQS-53B sonar system's diagnostics. The prototype expert system incorporates a hierarchical knowledge base design. TAS defines diagnostic testing sequences for system maintenance. Validation of the resulting prototype was performed. TAS provided internal utilities for knowledge base verification. A knowledge-base editor was used to ensure syntactic conformity. The knowledge-base compiler provided diagnostic tests aiding in knowledge accuracy and verified the syntax. A built-in simulator confirmed the data continuity of knowledge base. Data were validated by system-generated rulesets and ambiguity set information. A test-case study of the left correlator database is described. The validation process is divided into three areas: validation of the knowledge base, simulation, and field testing. Expert confirmation of the knowledge base and simulation test information was essential for validation.<>