Optimal Alarm Systems

An optimal alarm system is simply an optimal level-crossing predictor that can be designed to elicit the fewest false alarms for a fixed detection probability. It currently use Kalman filtering for dynamic systems to provide a layer of predictive capability for the forecasting of adverse events. Predicted Kalman filter future process values and a fixed critical threshold can be used to construct a candidate level-crossing event over a predetermined prediction window. 

Due to the fact that the alarm regions for an optimal level-crossing predictor cannot be expressed in closed form, one of our aims has been to investigate approximations for the design of an optimal alarm system. Approximations to this sort of alarm region are required for the most computationally efficient generation of a ROC curve or other similar alarm system design metrics. 

Algorithms based upon the optimal alarm system concept also require models that appeal to a variety of data mining and machine learning techniques. As such, we have investigated a serial architecture which was used to preprocess a full feature space by using SVR (Support Vector Regression), implicitly reducing it to a univariate signal while retaining salient dynamic characteristics (see AIAA attachment below). This step was required due to current technical constraints, and is performed by using the residual generated by SVR (or potentially any regression algorithm) that has properties which are favorable for use as training data to learn the parameters of a linear dynamical system.

Future development will lift these restrictions so as to allow for exposure to a broader class of models such as a switched multi-input/output linear dynamical system in isolation based upon heterogeneous (both discrete and continuous) data, obviating the need for the use of a preprocessing regression algorithm in serial. However, the use of a preprocessing multi-input/output nonlinear regression algorithm in serial with a multi-input/output linear dynamical system will allow for the characterization of underlying static nonlinearities to be investigated as well. We will even investigate the use of non-parametric methods such as Gaussian process regression and particle filtering in isolation to lift the linear and Gaussian assumptions which may be invalid for many applications. 

Future work will also involve improvement of approximations inherent in use of the optimal alarm system of optimal level-crossing predictor. We will also perform more rigorous testing and validation of the alarm systems discussed by using standard machine learning techniques and consider more complex, yet practically meaningful critical level-crossing events. Finally, a more detailed investigation of model fidelity with respect to available data and metrics has been conducted (see attachment below). As such, future work on modeling will involve the investigation of necessary improvements in initialization techniques and data transformations for a more feasible fit to the assumed model structure. Additionally, we will explore the integration of physics-based and data-driven methods in a Bayesian context, by using a more informative prior.

Tags: ames, dashlink, nasa
Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration