Casestudie Breakdown prediction Contell PILOT - Transumo

5 Possible and Promising Ways of Data Analysis
The first four chapters already introduced the existing methodological problems of
sensor based temperature monitoring systems and the current state of research. The
second chapter pointed out the existing problems of the temperature monitoring task
and limitations of the current approach of just setting critical temperature limits. The
biggest problem was the existing lack of information. 41 This disabled an analyst to
identify real causes of temperature deviations. Moreover, a very low probability of
real malfunctions leads to many false alarms. 42
The introduction of currently available temperature monitoring products in the third
chapter pointed out that no solution seems to be available that bases on an other
approach. Only some workarounds like time dependent limit settings are offered to
solve the existing problems partially. 43 In fact, no introduced product did fully comply
with the requirements from section 2.5.
In addition to that, the fourth chapter pointed out that there seems to be no research
activity within this particular setting of sensor based temperature monitoring of
cooling devices within medical laboratories. That is the reason why this chapter tries
to find ways to gain additional information of monitored devices by the use of
statistical analysis and data mining. Due to missing specialized methods, the current
research begins with an analysis of basic statistical and data mining methods. Aside
from that, other specialized methods from the fourth chapter are introduced and
tested on applicability.
5.1 The Six Possible Levels of Data Analysis
To be able to categorize different approaches of data analysis, it is important to
review its possible kinds. Data analysis can be divided into six different levels of
detail. Depending on the demands of the underlying setting, data analysis ranges
from highly abstract to very detailed. According to the chosen level, one of the
following kinds of results is aimed: ([Berthold99], p. 171)
41 See section 2.4.1 for details
42 See section 2.2.5 for details
43 See section 3.3.2 for details
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