Robust Simulator for Fault Management in Systems-of-systems of Multiple Nodes

Ridgetop Group shall investigate and prove the feasibility of designing, developing, and proving a Robust Simulator for Fault Management (FM) in Systems-of-Systems having Multiple Nodes; (1) each system representing one or more line-replaceable units (LRU); (2) each LRU comprising one or more data nodes; (3) each data node producing a characteristic waveform related to a classified fault based on physics-of-failure (PoF); (4) signature data extracted with or without digital signal processing such as data fusion, domain transforms, and progress from a state of 100% health to a state representing 0% health or functional failure as defined by no longer operating within specifications; (5) onset of degradation at each node beginning at any time by specification; (6) period of time from onset of degradation to functional failure by specification or random selection; (7) each failure level having a specifiable level of effect on system criticality and specifiable levels of alerts and actionable specifications; and (8) each node being processed to produce prognostic information such as estimates of remaining useful life, prognostic horizon, and state-of-health. The proposed simulation tool shall incorporate advanced techniques and methods in the specification, generation, and processing of faults from onset of degradation to functional failure, estimating prognostic information, distribution of failures, and effect on mission criticality. Examples of those techniques and methods include the following: (1) artificial intelligence, case-based reasoning, knowledge-based models, and machine learning; (2) models based on PoF analyses; (3) use of well-known distributions such as Gaussian, Poisson, and Weibull to select when faults begin and end; (4) time-of-event setting by specification and/or random selection; (5) selection and level-setting for alerts; (6) alert actions; and (7) extendible and flexible architecture in the design and implementation of the simulator.

The proposed FM simulator has applicability to all NASA systems for which FM applies: Vehicles= land, air, sea, space. Any complex system having data nodes monitored for signal changes indicative of damage leading to increasing levels of degradation and eventual failure.

The proposed FM simulator has applicability to all NASA systems for which FM applies: Vehicles= land, air, sea, space; structures; manufacturing plants; electrical power; space. Any complex system having data nodes monitored for signal changes indicative of damage leading to increasing levels of degradation and eventual failure.

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