On the Connection Assignment Problem of Diagnosable Systems

This paper treats the problem of automatic fault diagnosis for systems with multiple faults. The system is decomposed into n units u1, u2, . . . , un, where a unit is a well-identifiable portion of the system which cannot be further decomposed for the purpose of diagnosis. By means of a given arrangement of testing links (connection assignment) each unit of the system tests a subset of units, and a proper diagnosis can be arrived at for any diagnosable fault pattern. Methods for optimal assignments are given for instantaneous and sequential diagnosis procedures.