AI-ESTATE model editing in a component based ATS

"All Test Environments" that are based on the IEEE 1232 Standard, that is, are AI-ESTATE compliant, utilize diagnostic information models as specified by the 1232 Standard. Thus the creation and maintenance of these models are critical to the operation of the Test Environment. This paper details a Model Editing Component (MEC) that operates as a plug-n-play component in a component based ATS architecture. The diagnostic information model is represented within the Standard in the EXPRESS language. Due to empirical assessments of test engineering human factors the editor hides this representation from the test engineer. The model editor instead presents the information model in a combination of well-understood graphical forms and data dialogs while providing functional operations through well-understood drag-n-drop and click operations. The important information model relationships are handled automatically behind the graphical representation layer relieving the test engineer from learning and maintaining an understanding of the EXPRESS language. Also discussed are the morphological and topological display algorithms as well as operational usage, model storage/retrieval management, import/export, exchange and maturation.