Applications: Radio Inspector's Assistant

Applications: Radio Inspector's Assistant^TM

A knowledge-based decision support system for radio inspectors in New Zealand.

The Information Problem

Acquired Intelligence Inc., on behalf of Industry Canada, developed the Radio Interference Advisor^TM, a comprehensive system for assisting Radio Inspectors with problematic investigations. This system employed a comprehensive knowledge base of diagnostic knowledge related to radio interference, case management tools as well as a case based reasoning system for the retrieval of investigations similar to the one in question. The Radio Interference Advisor was integrated with an existing character based system for spectrum control and operations management called "SCOMS".

After developing the Radio Interference Advisor it was felt that there was a need for a graphical user interface for this system. In addition, our discussions with radio inspectors in Canada and other countries pointed out that there were situations that did not call for the complete range of tools and capabilities inherent in the Radio Interference Advisor, such as the case management and case-based reasoning capabilities. For example, in situations where the investigation does not need to be recorded or is to be recorded in another form, or in what-if scenarios as are often performed within a training context. To this end the Radio Inspector's Assistant^TM was developed.

The Radio Inspector's Assistant^TM

The Radio Inspector's Assistant^TM, or simply the "Assistant", has a very clean and simple user interface. The inspector can select either AM, FM, RC, TV audio or TV video (see Figure 1) and then select the presenting symptom (see Figure 2). The Assistant will then guide the inspector through a series of questions aimed at identifying the source of the interference (see Figure 3). The knowledge base author's notes have been associated with each question so that further explanation and guidance is provided to assist the inspector in answering the question and performing any test that may be necessary.

At any point during or after the question and answer session the inspector can view the current and previous reasoning of the knowledge base (see Figure 4). The "View Reasoning" button provides the user with a trace of all conclusions that were reached, the value associated with each conclusion (True, False, Unknown, etc.) and the knowledge base author's notes that are associated with each value of each conclusion. The knowledge base author's notes provide additional tips, guidance and explanation to aid the inspector in their investigation. The inspector, thereby, gains the desired diagnostic assistance for investigations, but, is unable to save investigations and retrieve similar investigations.

The knowledge base used by the Radio Inspector's Assistant is the same as that employed by the Radio Interference Advisor. The Assistant operates as a stand alone application in the Microsoft Windows environment. Integration with other Microsoft Windows applications is facilitated through the Acquire^® Software Development Kit.

Conclusion

The Radio Inspector's Assistant has proven to be very easy to use. Inspectors are provided with an intuitive aid that assists them with problematic investigations. Due to the ease of use there is a minimum of software training necessary prior to active use.

The Radio Inspector's Assistant is currently available in English. A French translation is planned. The Assistant is currently in use by the New Zealand Ministry of Commerce in eleven district offices.