Built-In-Test To Support Remote System Maintenance

This paper presents a concept to enhance supportability of remote locations through the use of a microprocessor-controlled Built-In-Test (BIT) approach. Fault detection and fault isolation would be performed automatically at an unattended location and the results would be displayed remotely at a Central Maintenance Center to aid in performing the appropriate maintenance support decisions and planning. However, the most important aspect of this approach is the distributed processing capability of each of its subsystems. The support of remote facilities has had a significant impact on spare parts provisioning, maintenance planning, and cost. One of the most important features that makes remote maintenance a reality is testability. Many systems in the past have not been designed to adequately identify failed replaceable items, thereby relegating the fault isolation task to manual means. However, modern systems are being designed to automatically detect and isolate failures to the defective replaceable item, thereby providing remote maintenance capabilities.