Microcomputer software development facilities

A more efficient and cost effective method for developing microcomputer software is to utilize a host computer with high-speed peripheral support. Application programs such as cross assemblers, loaders, and simulators are implemented in the host computer for each of the microcomputers for which software development is a requirement. The host computer is configured to operate in a time share mode for multiusers. The remote terminals, printers, and down loading capabilities provided are based on user requirements. With this configuration a user, either local or remote, can use the host computer for microcomputer software development. Once the software is developed (through the code and modular debug stage) it can be downloaded to the development system or emulator in a test area where hardware/software integration functions can proceed. The microcomputer software program sources reside in the host computer and can be edited, assembled, loaded, and then downloaded as required until the software development project has been completed

Networked VAX/LSI/CAMAC Data Acquisition System Development

Recent development of the Caltech data acquisition system installed in 1981, which runs on a VAX-11/750, a Peritek Q-bus network, LSI-11s, and CAMAC, is described. In this system, the DEC VMS and RT-11 operating systems are supported on the VAX "host" and LSI-11 "front-end" computers by a VMS device driver and network host program, and a bootable RT-11 device driver. Network "utility" and "control" programs provide general purpose support for communication between front-end and host software. Data acquisition software tools are provided for writing programs to run nuclear physics experiments. A system similar to Caltech's was installed at the University of Rochester in 1982. The network has been tested for speed and real-time response. After including all software overhead required by data acquisition, it was found that the system could transfer buffers and acknowledge their receipt at a net speed of 127 KB per second with a 35% load on the host computer. The network software is currently being rehosted on Ethernet hardware at Caltech in a multiple host - many front-end computer configuration. Compatibility with the current Peritek network software will be maintained

Development of PAN (personal area network) for Mobile Robot Using Bluetooth Transceiver

In recent years, wireless applications using radio frequency (RF) have been rapidly evolving in personal computing and communications devices. Bluetooth technology was created to replace the cables used on mobile devices. Bluetooth is an open specification and encompasses a simple low-cost, low power solution for integration into devices. This research work aim was to provide a PAN (personal area network) for computer based mobile robot that supports real-time control of four mobile robots from a host mobile robot. With ad hoc topology, mobile robots may request and establish a connection when it is within the range or terminated the connection when it leaves the area. A system that contains both hardware and software is designed to enable the robots to participate in multi-agent robotics system (MARS). Computer based mobile robot provide operating system that enabled development of wireless connection via IP address

Software development to support sensor control of robot arc welding

The development of software for a Digital Equipment Corporation MINC-23 Laboratory Computer to provide functions of a workcell host computer for Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) robotic welding is documented. Routines were written to transfer robot programs between the MINC and an Advanced Robotic Cyro 750 welding robot. Other routines provide advanced program editing features while additional software allows communicatin with a remote computer aided design system. Access to special robot functions were provided to allow advanced control of weld seam tracking and process control for future development programs

System support software for the Space Ultrareliable Modular Computer (SUMC)

The highly transportable programming system designed and implemented to support the development of software for the Space Ultrareliable Modular Computer (SUMC) is described. The SUMC system support software consists of program modules called processors. The initial set of processors consists of the supervisor, the general purpose assembler for SUMC instruction and microcode input, linkage editors, an instruction level simulator, a microcode grid print processor, and user oriented utility programs. A FORTRAN 4 compiler is undergoing development. The design facilitates the addition of new processors with a minimum effort and provides the user quasi host independence on the ground based operational software development computer. Additional capability is provided to accommodate variations in the SUMC architecture without consequent major modifications in the initial processors

Jackson State University's Center for Spatial Data Research and Applications: New facilities and new paradigms

Jackson State University recently established the Center for Spatial Data Research and Applications, a Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing laboratory. Taking advantage of new technologies and new directions in the spatial (geographic) sciences, JSU is building a Center of Excellence in Spatial Data Management. New opportunities for research, applications, and employment are emerging. GIS requires fundamental shifts and new demands in traditional computer science and geographic training. The Center is not merely another computer lab but is one setting the pace in a new applied frontier. GIS and its associated technologies are discussed. The Center's facilities are described. An ARC/INFO GIS runs on a Vax mainframe, with numerous workstations. Image processing packages include ELAS, LIPS, VICAR, and ERDAS. A host of hardware and software peripheral are used in support. Numerous projects are underway, such as the construction of a Gulf of Mexico environmental data base, development of AI in image processing, a land use dynamics study of metropolitan Jackson, and others. A new academic interdisciplinary program in Spatial Data Management is under development, combining courses in Geography and Computer Science. The broad range of JSU's GIS and remote sensing activities is addressed. The impacts on changing paradigms in the university and in the professional world conclude the discussion

Development of a Software-Defined Underwater Acoustic Communication System

This report started with a brief history and recent development of underwater acoustic communication systems as well as software-defined radio technologies. Then, some challenges from underwater acoustic channels and available underwater acoustic communication modems are discussed. After finished introducing the basics of SDR and GNU Radio, a detailed description of implementing a software-defined acoustic communication system in GNU Radio are presented, along with some key concepts of the system. Then, some hardware specifications are presented, following by detailed documentation on a software-defined acoustic communication system experiment with a host computer, a USRP, an acoustic hydrophone, and a hydrophone. At the end of Section 4, the results of the experiment are discussed. Lastly, the conclusions of this report are made. Some possible directions for future work are suggested in Section 6

A New Approach to Laboratory Motor Control: MMCS the Modular Motor Control System

Many projects within the GRASP laboratory involve motion control via electric servo motors, for example robots, hands, camera mounts and tables. To date each project has been based on a unique hardware/software approach. This document discusses the development of a new modular, and host independent, motor control system, MMCS, for laboratory use. The background to the project and the development of the concept is traced. An important hardware component developed is a 2 axis control motor control board that can be plugged into an IBM PC bus or connected via an adaptor to a high performance workstation computer. To eliminate the need for detailed understanding of the hardware components, an abstract controller model is proposed. Software implementing this model has been developed in a device driver for the Unix operating system. However for those who need or wish to program at the hardware level, the manual describes in detail the various custom hardware components of the system

System for Virtual Server Administration

S nárůstem výkonu počítačových sestav se rozvíjí trend virtualizace počítačů. Na jednom fyzickém počítači může být virtualizováno i několik samostatných počítačů virtuálních. Toho se využívá v mnoha oblastech, ve vývoji jader operačních systémů, testování nového software, výzkumu chování virů, pro úspory na HW. Na druhé straně se zvyšují nároky na správu takového počítače. Tato práce se zabývá vytvořením systému, který by umožnil zmenšit negativní dopady virtualizace na správu virtuálních počítačů. Cílem práce je vytvořit obecné rozhraní pro ovládání virtualizovaných počítačů s možností přizpůsobení na konkrétní konfigurace. Práce popisuje vývoj takového systému od specifikace požadavků, přes analýzu a návrh aplikace až k její implementaci.There is coming trend of virtualization on modern computers. One computer may act like host for several guest virtualized computers. This has many advantages, like for kernel development, software testing, virus behaviour testing, saving HW resources. On the other hand, complexity of computer maintenance is growing too. This bachelor thesis describes a system, that can be used for management of many virtual servers and lower the manageability overhead. This work will create a generic control interface for virtualized computers. Interface will be adaptable and extendible. The development of this system is described from specification through analysis to concept and implementation of application.