The space science data service: A study of its efficiencies and costs

Factors affecting the overall advantages and disadvantages of a centralized facility for both the data base and processing capability for NASA's Office of Space Science programs are examined in an effort to determine the best approach to data management in the light of the increasing number of data bits collected annually. Selected issues considered relate to software and storage savings, security precautions, and the phase-in plan. Information on the current mode of processing and on the potential impact of changes resulting from a conversion to a space science data base service was obtained from five user groups and is presented as an aid in determining the dollar benefits and advantages of a centralized system

Minicomputers: What is the choice?

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A Distributed Processing System for Patient Management

Conference PaperBiomedical Informatic

A Computer-Automated Laboratory System In A University Environment

A computer-automated laboratory system at the University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, which serves a wide variety of instruction and research disciplines including Geophysics, Cloud Physics, and Computer Graphics, is described. The system serves as an example for campuses which are relatively small in geographic area and with budget limitations which dictate a step-by-step evolution. The paper describes 1) the constraints and economics realized in the development of the system, 2) the characteristics of the minicomputer network, and 3) an evaluation of the system philosophy and performance. Also included is a description of diverse laboratory projects supported by the computer-automated system. © 1975, IEEE. All rights reserved

Computers and Small Local Governments: Uses and Users

This article examines the adoption and use of computer technology by cities under 50,000 and counties under 100,000 in seven plains and mountain states. Smaller local governments were found to lag considerably behind their larger counterparts in computer adoption and extent of use. However, pat terns of use were not substantially different, with basic housekeeping functions being the most frequently automated. Computer adoption was associated with size, government form and type, and metropolitan status. No relationship was found between financial status and computer adoption. Most governments used in-house computers, and most of these systems were minicomputers. The frequency of microcomputer adoption paralleled that reported in a recent nationwide study of micro use in city governments. Most in-house systems represented relatively current technology. Over 70 percent of these systems had been purchased from three of the country\u27s largest computer vendors, IBM, NCR, and Burroughs. Current use of computers was associated with future plans to acquire automated technology and with the type of system a government planned to buy. However, current use did not affect attitudes toward the future use of computers in general or micros in particular

Considerations in the design of a network of minicomputers

The advantages of a network consisting of a number of minicomputers coupled to a large time shared computer are described. This type of network is very useful in the areas of data acquisition, real time control of experiments, and front-end processing for computer graphics. Problems associated with the development of a network of this type, various possible solutions, and the trade-offs involved are presented. These problems are classified into two categories: the interface between the network and the central computing facility, and the interface between the remote sites and the rest of the network. The design constraints, rationale, and implementation of the minicomputer network at the University of Missouri-Rolla are describe --Abstract, page ii

Off-line processing of ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar data with high precision and high throughput

The first European remote sensing satellite ERS-1 will be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1989. The expected lifetime is two to three years. The spacecraft sensors will primarily support ocean investigations and to a limited extent also land applications. Prime sensor is the Active Microwave Instrumentation (AMI) operating in C-Band either as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or as Wave-Scatterometer and simultaneously as Wind-Scatterometer. In Europe there will be two distinct types of processing for ERS-1 SAR data, Fast Delivery Processing and Precision Processing. Fast Delivery Proceessing will be carried out at the ground stations and up to three Fast Delivery products per pass will be delivered to end users via satellite within three hours after data acquisition. Precision Processing will be carried out in delayed time and products will not be generated until several days or weeks after data acquisition. However, a wide range of products will be generated by several Processing and Archiving Facilities (PAF) in a joint effort coordinated by ESA. The German Remote Sensing Data Center (Deutsches Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum DFD) will develop and operate one of these facilities. The related activities include the acquisition, processing and evaluation of such data for scientific, public and commercial users. Based on this experience the German Remote Sensing Data Center is presently performing a Phase-B study regarding the development of a SAR processor for ERS-1. The conceptual design of this processing facility is briefly outlined

TDRSS data handling and management system study. Ground station systems for data handling and relay satellite control

Results of a two-phase study of the (Data Handling and Management System DHMS) are presented. An original baseline DHMS is described. Its estimated costs are presented in detail. The DHMS automates the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) ground station's functions and handles both the forward and return link user and relay satellite data passing through the station. Direction of the DHMS is effected via a TDRSS Operations Control Central (OCC) that is remotely located. A composite ground station system, a modified DHMS (MDHMS), was conceptually developed. The MDHMS performs both the DHMS and OCC functions. Configurations and costs are presented for systems using minicomputers and midicomputers. It is concluded that a MDHMS should be configured with a combination of the two computer types. The midicomputers provide the system's organizational direction and computational power, and the minicomputers (or interface processors) perform repetitive data handling functions that relieve the midicomputers of these burdensome tasks

Laser velocimetry in the low-speed wind tunnels at Ames Research Center

The historical development of laser velocimetry and its application to low-speed (less than 100 m/sec) aerodynamic flows in the subsonic wind tunnels at Ames Research Center is reviewed. A fully three dimensional velocimeter for the Ames 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel is described, and its capabilities are presented through sample data from a recent experiment. Finally, a long-range (2.6 to 10 m) velocimeter that is designed to be installed within the test section of the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel is described and sample data are presented