(FIDO) is a computer program that reduces the need for a large and costly team of engineers and/or technicians to monitor the state of a spacecraft and associated ground systems and respond to anomalies. FIDO includes artificial-intelligence components that imitate the reasoning of human experts with reference to a knowledge base of rules that represent failure modes and to a database of engineering documentation. These components act together to give an unskilled operator instantaneous expert assistance and access to information that can enable resolution of most anomalies, without the need for highly paid experts. FIDO provides a system state summary (a configurable engineering summary) and documentation for diagnosis of a potentially failing component that might have caused a given error message or anomaly.
FIDO also enables high-level browsing of documentation by use of an interface indexed to the particular error message. The collection of available documents includes information on operations and associated procedures, engineering problem reports, documentation of components, and engineering drawings. FIDO also affords a capability for combining information on the state of ground systems with detailed, hierarchically-organized, hypertext-enabled documentation.
This program was written by Mark James, F. Kronbert, A. Weiner, T. Morgan, B. Stroozas, F. Girouard, A. Hopkins, L. Wong, J. Kneubuhl, and R. Malina of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category. This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393- 3425. Refer to NPO-40361.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Software Assists in Responding to Anomalous Conditions
(reference NPO-40361) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document outlines the development and functionality of the Fault Induced Document Officer (FIDO), a software tool designed to assist operators in responding to anomalous conditions in spacecraft systems. FIDO is built on a prototype model that emphasizes rapid development, aiming to create a functional system within 1-2 months by reusing existing software systems like SHINE, HYLITE, and Mosaic.
FIDO's primary function is to connect to the Eworks software package, allowing it to read telemetry updates and provide automated references to relevant documentation when anomalies occur. Upon initialization, FIDO presents a graphical interface that displays the spacecraft's state, including critical parameters such as pitch, roll, and health status. When an anomaly is detected, FIDO generates new windows that display pertinent documentation and additional references, enabling users to navigate through information efficiently.
The interface consists of two main components: a status window showing spacecraft information and a documentation window that can be indexed for easy access to relevant materials. The documentation includes FAQs, procedures for addressing common faults, and engineering documentation, all stored in a common directory for easy retrieval. FIDO employs a hash-table method for fault diagnosis, linking components to their respective documentation, which aids in quick resolution of issues without needing expert intervention.
The document also discusses the potential for a more advanced version of FIDO that could incorporate a tree structure to better represent the relationships between spacecraft components and their documentation. This would enhance the user experience by allowing operators to follow related threads in documentation more intuitively.
Overall, FIDO aims to provide unskilled operators with immediate access to expert-level assistance, facilitating the resolution of most anomalies without the need for highly paid experts. The development of this software reflects NASA's commitment to improving operational efficiency and safety in spacecraft management, showcasing the integration of technology in addressing complex aerospace challenges. The document serves as a technical support package under NASA's Commercial Technology Program, emphasizing the broader technological and commercial applications of these advancements.
