BEAM: technology for autonomous self-analysis

BEAM (Beacon-based Exception Analysis for Multimissions) is an end-to-end method of data analysis intended for real-time fault detection and characterization. It provides a generic system analysis capability for potential application to deep space probes and other highly automated systems. This paper describes in brief the architecture, application, and operating theory of BEAM. BEAM provides a generalized formalism for diagnostics and prognostics in virtually any instrumented system. Consideration is given to all standard forms of data, both time-varying (sensor or extracted feature) quantities and discrete measurements, embedded physical and symbolic models, and communication with other autonomy-enabling components such as planners and schedulers. This approach can be adapted to on-board or ground-based implementations with no change to the basic operating theory. The approach is illustrated with an overview of application types, past validations, and ongoing efforts.