The Generic Checkout System Approach to Ground Checkout Systems

With the advent of the Space Station, Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle and other projects, NASA has been prompted to critique major ground checkout systems around KSC. This critique is being used as a basis for the development of a central set of functions which are common to all checkout operations throughout the program. A prototyping effort was started over a year ago to implement those central functions, this effort was called the Generic Checkout System(GCS) which, over the past year, has grown into a working model 1 for ground checkout systems. At the Twenty-Third Space Congress a paper was presented which outlined the rudimentary operations of the GCS. Since that time GCS has evolved into a state of the art checkout system which demonstrates flexibility and ease of use. The GCS system has been chosen as the architecture which will support the Partial Paylod Checkout Unit(PPCU), a new system to be installed in early 1990. The development of the GCS system was meant to also address several problems inherent in current checkout systems: lack of flexibility, poor user interfaces and the abscence of an upgrade path from obsolete hardware. The GCS seeks to solve these problems in ways which utilize high technology advances in computer hardware and software. These advances include the use of commercial UNIX operating system based computers which offer vendor independence and portability of software, the use of state of the art user interfaces offering high resolution graphics, mouse interfaces and the ability to create displays interactively without the need to generate code to drive them. The use of other high tech products is also apparent in the GCS such as the support for Artificial intelligence, relational data base technologies, ADA programming language, parallel processing, RISC technology architectures, optical storage media, Local Area Network Connectivity, commercial graphics packages, INMOS transputers and the latest microprocessor technologies. This paper will attempt to explore some of the facets of the GCS prototyping and development effort and mention the future plans for the architecture which has been developed

The Computer Graphics Scene in the United States

We briefly survey the major thrusts of computer graphics activities, examining trends and topics rather than offering a comprehensive survey of all that is happening. The directions of professional activities, hardware, software, and algorithms are outlined. Within hardware we examine workstations, personal graphics systems, high performance systems, and low level VLSI chips; within software, standards and interactive system design; within algorithms, visible surface rendering and shading, three-dimensional modeling techniques, and animation. Note: This paper was presented at Eurographics\u2784 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Ada (trademark) projects at NASA. Runtime environment issues and recommendations

Ada practitioners should use this document to discuss and establish common short term requirements for Ada runtime environments. The major current Ada runtime environment issues are identified through the analysis of some of the Ada efforts at NASA and other research centers. The runtime environment characteristics of major compilers are compared while alternate runtime implementations are reviewed. Modifications and extensions to the Ada Language Reference Manual to address some of these runtime issues are proposed. Three classes of projects focusing on the most critical runtime features of Ada are recommended, including a range of immediately feasible full scale Ada development projects. Also, a list of runtime features and procurement issues is proposed for consideration by the vendors, contractors and the government

An integrated environment for computer-aided control engineering

This thesis considers the construction of a system to support the total design cycle for control systems. This encompasses modelling of the plant to be controlled, specification of the final objectives or performance, design of the required controllers and their implementation in hardware and software. The main contributions of this thesis are : its development of a model for CAD support for controller design, evaluation of the software engineering aspects of CAD development, the development of an architecture to support a control system design through its full design cycle and the implementation of this architecture in a prototype package. The research undertakes a review of general design theory to develop a model for the computeraided controller design process. Current state-of-the-art packages are evaluated against this model, highlighting their shortcomings. Current research to overcome these shortcomings is then reviewed. The software engineering aspects to the design of a CAD package are developed. The characteristics of CAD software are defined. An evaluation of Fortran, Pascal, C, C++, Ada , Lisp and Prologue as suitable languages to implement a CAD package is made. Based on this, Ada was selected as the most suitable, mainly because of its encapsulation of many of the modern software engineering concepts. The architecture for a computer-aided control engineering (CACE) package is designed using an object-oriented design method. This architecture defines the requirements for a complete CACE package including control-oriented data structures and schematic capture of plant models. The details of a prototype package using Ada are given to provide detailed knowledge in the problems of implementing this architecture. Examples using this prototype package are given to demonstrate the potential of a complete implementation of the architecture

3D APIs in Interactive Real-Time Systems: Comparison of OpenGL, Direct3D and Java3D.

Since the first display of a few computer-generated lines on a Cathode-ray tube (CRT) over 40 years ago, graphics has progressed rapidly towards the computer generation of detailed images and interactive environments in real time (Angel, 1997). In the last twenty years a number of Application Programmer's Interfaces (APIs) have been developed to provide access to three-dimensional graphics systems. Currently, there are numerous APIs used for many different types of applications. This paper will look at three of these: OpenGL, Direct3D, and one of the newest entrants, Java3D. They will be discussed in relation to their level of versatility, programability, and how innovative they are in introducing new features and furthering the development of 3D-interactive programming

Methodologies for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing

This thesis is concerned with identifying the problems and constraints faced by small batch manufacturing companies during the implementation of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). The main aim of this work is to recommend generic solutions to these problems with particular regard to those constraints arising because of the need for ClM systems integration involving both new and existing systems and procedures. The work has involved the application of modern computer technologies, including suitable hardware and software tools, in an industrial environment. Since the research has been undertaken with particular emphasis on the industrial implementor's viewpoint, it is supported by the results of a two phased implementation of computer based control systems within the machine shop of a manufacturing company. This involved the specific implementation of a Distributed Numerical Control system on a single machine in a group technology cell of machines followed by the evolution of this system into Cell and Machine Management Systems to provide a comprehensive decision support and information distribution facility for the foremen and uperators within the cell. The work also required the integration of these systems with existing Factory level manufacturing control and CADCAM functions. Alternative approaches have been investigated which may have been applicable under differing conditions and the implications that this specific work has for CIM systems integration in small batch manufacturing companies evaluated with regard not only to the users within an industrial company but also the systems suppliers external to the company. The work has resulted in certain generic contributions to knowledge by complementing ClM systems integration research with regard to problems encountered; cost implications; the use of appropriate methodologies including the role of emerging international standard methods, tools and technologies and also the importance of 'human integration' when implementing CIM systems in a real industrial situation

Sixth Annual Users' Conference

Conference papers and presentation outlines which address the use of the Transportable Applications Executive (TAE) and its various applications programs are compiled. Emphasis is given to the design of the user interface and image processing workstation in general. Alternate ports of TAE and TAE subsystems are also covered