REPAIR: a model-based diagnosis system

The work of the REPAIR project is described with particular emphasis on research into model-based diagnosis. The aim of the project was to investigate diagnostic reasoning processes in the context of physical mechanisms drawn from industry and engineering. This goal was pursued by building experimental software simulators that facilitate the modular construction of device models and allow the simulation of realistic device behaviour. The authors describe the ideas of model-based diagnosis and outline the requirements of suitable models; in particular, the features of qualitative reasoning are found significant. The REPAIR project model-based system is briefly described. The advantages and limitations of the techniques employed are considered and the use of model-based reasoning systems as the basis of a more powerful general diagnostic architecture is examined