An expert system architecture for computer-aided control engineering

We propose the development of a rule-based expert system to create a third-generation man/machine environment for computer-aided control engineering (CACE). The breadth of the CACE problem is of particular concern, and provides a major motivation for the use of artificial intelligence. This approach promises to provide a high-level design environment that is powerful, supportive, flexible, broad in scope, and readily accessible to nonexpert users. We focus primarily on the high-level requirements for an improved CACE environment, and on the expert system concepts and structures that we have conceived to fulfill these needs. Our chief goal is to determine what artificial intelligence has to contribute to such an environment, and to provide as definite and credible a vision of an expert system for CACE as possible. The main product of this effort is an expert system architecture for CACE.