This module compares reported signatures and actual observations as they change dynamically after faults have occurred. Transients generated by failures are dynamic, therefore, the signatures of the observed variables change over time. For example, at time step 1 in Fig. 5 a variable has a magnitude reported normal and a derivative which is above normal. Over time the variable value will go above normal, and at time stamps marked 2 and 3 a lower order effect is replaced by manifested higher order effects. Incorporating effects of higher order derivatives in the comparison process is referred to as progressive monitoring.
Figure 5: Dynamics of higher order derivatives.
Progressive monitoring is activated when there is a discrepancy between a predicted value and a monitored value that deviates (this applies to and higher order derivatives). At every time point, it is checked whether the next higher derivative could make the prediction consistent with the observation. If this next higher derivative value is normal the next following higher derivative value is considered, until there is either a conflict in prediction and observation, a confirmation, or an unknown value is found. Note that this implies that normal values are not explicitly used to refute fault hypotheses. Also note that this means that step 3 in Fig. 5 is not executed. Rather, at that point in time, transient verification is suspended in favor of steady state detection [6]. If discontinuities can be detected, progressive monitoring does not affect the order derivative, and, therefore, when it is predicted to be normal, it can still refute faults [6].
Consider a sudden increase in outflow resistance . Fig. 6 shows the results of progressive monitoring, where at times the signatures of the observed variables are modified because of higher-order effects. For example, the signature of for changes from 0,0,1 in step 1 to 1,1,1 in step 9. The order derivative, which is positive, is assumed to have affected the magnitude to make the candidate consistent with the observation 1,1,. in step 9. Discontinuity detection was not employed. When discontinuity detection was used, the same end result was obtained in three steps [7]. Note that only and order derivatives of the observations are available, as opposed to the predictions which include order derivatives as well.
Figure 6: Progressive monitoring for fault .