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Authoring
a Diagnostics-Driven IETM Use of the Diagnostician for diagnostic logic within an IETM allows for a much simpler authoring process. Instead of the author being required to hard code each and every branch and associated decision logic associated with each test and repair step, the logic is contained within the diagnostic knowledge base. Function calls are made to the Diagnostician from within the IETM software. The Diagnostician identifies the next step in the troubleshooting sequence, and drives the IETM to display that step. The result is truly diagnostic-driven Class V interactive electronic technical manuals. Giordano
Automation has selected the Raytheon Advanced Integrated Maintenance Support
System (AIMSS) IETM package as the most advanced and open IETM authoring and
display package available. AIMSS
has a better capacity to integrate with external systems and processes than any
other IETM package commercially available today.
The
approach for integration of the Diagnostician-driven troubleshooting into an
AIMSS IETM is through a Class V Dynamic Link Library (DLL) interface, as shown
in the figure below. In this
interface, all DLL functions are displayed in a list box, and a template for the
use of the standard Windows DLL function is provided.
The
objective of using the AIMSS IETM authoring and display package is to develop
diagnostics driven IETM. This IETM
provides the user with the capability to display maintenance information in
text, graphics, and table windows that can be easily manipulated by the
technician for preferred viewing. Hypertext
and graphic "hot spots" are embedded in descriptions and procedures to
provide rapid access to related information contained in the database.
For example, while viewing a fault isolation procedure, the technician is
provided direct access to related information such as schematics and parts lists
via links that are embedded in the text of the procedure and its associated
graphics. The
AIMSS, a truly interactive authoring system, supports a full complement of
dialogs and processes that can be embedded in interactive procedures.
In the Windows environment, the Diagnostician inference engine is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL). It is structured as a library of functions that provide diagnostic services to a client program. Using the AIMSS IETM authoring tool, the Diagnostician’s DLL functions were integrated through the Process Editor as "Class V" processes. The "Class V" process acts as a "gateway" to all Diagnostician services. Each "Class V" process interacts with the Diagnostician using Templates, as shown in the figure below. Each template defines a DLL function. Templates are easy to use, provide the function call's exact syntax requirements, and simply require the user to identify specific variables, where applicable. Details on the use of template commands is contained in an AIMSS Class V Authoring Guide. The
Diagnostician contains about forty DLL functions.
Of those, the primary ones that will be used for a typical diagnostics
driven IETM application are as follows: Load
DKB
Load a System's Diagnostic Knowledge Base AddData
Input test results to the Diagnostician GetNextStep Identify next step to be performed (normally, a test procedure) GetSuspectCnt Identify the number replaceable items in the current fault call-out GetSuspectNames
Identify the name(s) of the replaceable items in the fault call-out LogData Log all session history data into the historical data base
WHILE Loop Structure With these basic
functions, the diagnostic logic that is authored into the IETM is one
"WHILE" loop. The WHILE
loop processes as shown in the graphic below.
No matter how large the system, or how complex the diagnostic logic, this
single WHILE loop (see figure) is all that is needed to incorporate the
diagnostic processing with the Diagnostician. The figure below shows an example
of this while loop in the AIMSS Structure Editor. WHILE Loop
Structure Inside AIMSS IETM Structure Editor |
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