Engineering embedded knowledge-based software for a digital switching system

The development of embedded knowledge-based software for digital switching systems and its successful integration to the main stream conventional software demands special approaches not usually emphasised in other environments. Because of the programming-in-the-large and in-the-many characteristics of digital switching systems, disciplined software engineering approach is inevitable. Severe reliability requirements necessitate appropriate support form the programming tools. Cost-effective optimization of hardware resources impose constraints on both application selection and implementation tools. It is shown how a powerful programming environment based on an abstract data types (ADT) language augmented with rule-based facilities can help significantly in meeting the above requirements. The approach is illustrated through XEDA, an embedded knowledge-based application developed at Nokia Telecommunications to improve the diagnostics function of the DX 200 digital switching system.<>