Intelligent Agents and Hierarchical Constraint Driven Diagnostic Units for a Teleoperated Fluid Handling Laboratory

Hessam S. Sarjoughian
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Computer Science & Engr.
Ira A. Fulton School of Engr.
Arizona State University
Brickyard Suite 501
699, South Mill Ave.
Tempe, Arizona, 85281-8809
U.S.A.
Phone: +1(480)965-3983
Fax: +1(480)965-2751
Email: Hessam.Sarjoughian@ASU.Edu

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study and develop intelligent agents for the forthcoming Space Station Freedom (SSF). Relevant intelligent capabilities, which are necessary in a semi-autonomous laboratory environment, are assumed to be built into a robot. An intelligent controller based on the DEVS formalism and the event-based approach is considered for an experiment. We shall discuss multiple model representations, where each model is tailored toward a specific purpose. Considering the necessity of diagnostic capabilities, we shall discuss the possibility of hierarchical diagnostic units for the SSF. A high-level diagnostic unit is implemented on the basis of an artificial intelligence scheme and a hierarchy of diagnosers. This thesis also discusses the need for real-time diagnostic units and real-time data acquisition. We shall consider a diagnostic agent which utilizes the cost/time (i.e., the actual associated cost or time in inquiring information necessary for a diagnosis process) criterion in an attempt to locate the cause(s) of a failure.

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