The Automated Virtual Laboratory Tool (AVLT) is designed to be an intelligent scientific analysis assistant (SAA) system, dedicated to facilitating analysis and reduction of data collected by spaceborne scientific instruments. Within the SAA, a variety of conventional and artificial-intelligence software tools are integrated into a uniform system architecture. The AVLT interfaces with the user through a sophisticated graphical user interface that is part of the SAA environment. Functions of the AVLT include the following:
- Understanding the formats of input data files and automatically translating the files into whatever other formats are required for processing by analysis functions provided by users;
- Providing a graphical workspace, and assistance in using the workspace, wherein scientists can create computational experiments for exploration of data, formation of hypotheses, application of analysis functions, interpretation, and presentation, using concepts that are familiar within the scientists' domains of specialty;
- Providing a subsystem for planning a multistep analysis process to attain a goal based partly on prior computational experiments or on a priori knowledge;
- Constructing a knowledge base of data-exploration methods and analysis and interpretation algorithms; and
- Providing sophisticated graphical-presentation software to assist in visualization of data.
This program was written by Mark James of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-42514.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Tool for Analysis and Reduction of Scientific Data
(reference NPO-42514) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document outlines NASA's initiative to develop an Automated Virtual Laboratory Tool (AVLT) aimed at enhancing the analysis and reduction of scientific data collected from spacecraft instruments. This tool addresses the growing challenge of managing vast amounts of unanalyzed data that accumulate in NASA's databases, exacerbated by the increasing volume of data generated by high-rate instruments.
The primary motivation for the AVLT is the recognition that significant scientific data often remains unanalyzed due to the labor-intensive processes currently required for data handling. Scientists face challenges in retrieving, reformatting, and interpreting data, which can hinder scientific productivity. The AVLT is designed to alleviate these issues by providing an intelligent Scientific Analysis Assistant (SAA) that integrates various conventional and artificial intelligence software tools into a cohesive system.
Key features of the AVLT include:
-
Data Format Compatibility: The system can understand various data formats, such as PDS CD ROMs, eliminating the need for scientists to reformat data before analysis.
-
Dynamic Information Interface: A data flow translation synthesizer connects different modules of the AVLT, allowing scientists to work with data as semantic entities rather than being bogged down by technical details.
-
Graphical Workspace: The AVLT offers a user-friendly graphical environment where scientists can design experiments for data exploration, hypothesis formation, and analysis using intuitive visual representations.
-
Experiment Specification: Scientists can specify experiments at different abstraction levels, with the AVLT providing options and filling in gaps in the analysis process.
-
Planning System: The tool includes a planning system that helps scientists set analysis goals based on prior knowledge and generate multi-step processes to achieve those goals.
-
Knowledge Base: A comprehensive knowledge base organizes data exploration methods and analysis algorithms, making it easier for scientists to access relevant information.
-
Graphical Presentation Software: The AVLT includes advanced visualization tools that help scientists present their data and results effectively, highlighting key information.
Overall, the AVLT aims to significantly enhance the efficiency of scientific data analysis, allowing researchers to transform large volumes of data into meaningful insights more quickly. This capability is crucial for NASA, as it enables scientists to focus on extracting valuable information from their data rather than getting lost in the complexities of data management.
