The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of a method to embed diagnostic expertise within hardware systems to achieve a self-diagnostic capability. For this purpose, a self-contained electronic device is proposed which serves to link hardware, diagnostic information, expert diagnostic systems, human diagnosticians. This link is called the Adaptive Memory Module/Template (AMMT), which is an intelligent software-controlled information logging device to be eventually packaged as a microchip. This AMMT device is to be embedded into a host component as a module, or onto the component as a template. The AMMT is externally powered and interrogated through a radio-frequency probe. It has a battery-backed, non-volatile, crash-proof memory which is capable of data retention for ten or more years. As an option, electronic links between the AMMT and the host component may serve to continuously record host component reliability parameters, such as electrical pulsing, temperature, vibration, humidity, etc., through embedded microsensors. Based on the Phase I research, the AMMT concept is highly feasible with existing technology. This feasibility is significantly enhanced with newer, more comprehensive electronic units. Also, the AMMT has potential commercial applications extending beyond hardware maintenance to such areas as biotechnology, manufacturing, and robotics.
