Avionics system design for testability using a knowledge engineering approach

The authors present a design methodology and a knowledge-based computer-aided design (CAD) environment that allows an avionics system designer to incorporate testability into a design in a formal, verifiable way which also provides clear documentation for this activity. Prototype CAD tools have been built and have met with in-house use success. The design and implementation of the current prototype tools, collectively known as the test engineer´s assistant (TEA,) tools, are presented, along with an example application. All outline of a more robust system which should provide users with a more comprehensive environment with enhanced capabilities to better meet the challenges posed by the design methodology presented is given. In addition, the impact of using testability design tool´s to potentially reduce life cycle costs is discussed