An approach to real-time simulation using parallel processing

A preliminary simulator design that uses a parallel computer organization to provide accuracy, portability, and low cost is presented. The hardware and software for this prototype simulator are discussed. A detailed discussion of the inter-computer data transfer mechanism is also presented

Advanced flight deck/crew station simulator functional requirements

This report documents a study of flight deck/crew system research facility requirements for investigating issues involved with developing systems, and procedures for interfacing transport aircraft with air traffic control systems planned for 1985 to 2000. Crew system needs of NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and industry were investigated and reported. A matrix of these is included, as are recommended functional requirements and design criteria for simulation facilities in which to conduct this research. Methods of exploiting the commonality and similarity in facilities are identified, and plans for exploiting this in order to reduce implementation costs and allow efficient transfer of experiments from one facility to another are presented

VLSI Multiple Microcomputer Technology Applied to Real-Time Simulators

VLSI technology, embodied in state of the art microprocessors and microcomputers, has implied a computer system architecture that offers the possibility for extensive standardization, modularity, and performance improvements that can significantly impact and reduce the lifetime costs of real-time simulators. This report discusses one such system. Both the hardware and software aspects of the system are examined

Marshall Avionics Testbed System (MAST)

Work accomplished in the summer of 1989 in association with the NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Research Fellowship Program at Marshall Space Flight Center is summarized. The project was aimed at developing detailed specifications for the Marshall Avionics System Testbed (MAST). This activity was to include the definition of the testbed requirements and the development of specifications for a set of standard network nodes for connecting the testbed to a variety of networks. The project was also to include developing a timetable for the design, implementation, programming and testing of the testbed. Specifications of both hardware and software components for the system were to be included

RCTS: A flexible environment for sensor integration and control of robot systems; the distributed processing approach

Most robot systems lack a suitable hardware and software environment for the efficient research of new control and sensing schemes. Typically, engineers and researchers need to be experts in control, sensing, programming, communication and robotics in order to implement, integrate and test new ideas in a robot system. In order to reduce this time, the Robot Controller Test Station (RCTS) has been developed. It uses a modular hardware and software architecture allowing easy physical and functional reconfiguration of a robot. This is accomplished by emphasizing four major design goals: flexibility, portability, ease of use, and ease of modification. An enhanced distributed processing version of RCTS is described. It features an expanded and more flexible communication system design. Distributed processing results in the availability of more local computing power and retains the low cost of microprocessors. A large number of possible communication, control and sensing schemes can therefore be easily introduced and tested, using the same basic software structure

Microcomputer usage in the horticultural office: An analysis of software requirements and availability in New Zealand

"Based on an honours dissertation prepared by Philip Williams ... supervised and edited by G.F. Thiele"--Foreword.In the 1970s the development of a third generation of computers brought the potential of computer ownership to the individual grower. In 1975, with the utilisation of the mkroprocessor as part of a microcomputer system, the first small computer entered the marketplace in the United States. Microcomputers technology has industries and first appeared in New Zeal and around 1979. Computer proven to be vastly productive, revolutionising many jobs. Microcomputers are becoming significant in the horticultural environment and have the potential to become widely adopted. Their significance is indicated by the amount of time growers are spending using them. Nuthall, (Kellogg Farm Management Unit) surveyed computer users registered with the Unit. Advisers and consultants averaged nearly 20 hours and horticulturists 6.7 hours per week of computer usage (Anon., 1985a), which represents a major management cost to the farm system. This discussion paper: 1. Reviews the use of computers in decision making and the provision of information 2. Describes the software development within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' (MAF) Advisory Services Division 3. Describes the major benefits of computer use and the criteria for selection of a system 4. Summarises the software available for horticulture 5. Discusses the application of microcomputers by grower

RAMP: A fault tolerant distributed microcomputer structure for aircraft navigation and control

RAMP consists of distributed sets of parallel computers partioned on the basis of software and packaging constraints. To minimize hardware and software complexity, the processors operate asynchronously. It was shown that through the design of asymptotically stable control laws, data errors due to the asynchronism were minimized. It was further shown that by designing control laws with this property and making minor hardware modifications to the RAMP modules, the system became inherently tolerant to intermittent faults. A laboratory version of RAMP was constructed and is described in the paper along with the experimental results

A study of the effects on achievement of supplemental computer-aided instruction versus supplemental reading in the instruction of micro-economics

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of computer aided instruction in the achievement of students in undergraduate microeconomic classes. The procedures were to use a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest, non-equivalent control group design. Two forms of the Test of Understanding of College Economics and a questionnaire were administered to the students in order to test three hypotheses dealing with differences in achievement among the groups based on type of instruction, keyboard familiarity, GPA, socioeconomic background and teacher effects. The analysis of data confirmed the hypotheses that there would be a significant difference between the posttest scores of the control groups and the treatment groups. The hypothesis that the CAI group would score significantly higher than the reading group was not confirmed. The chosen variables to explain the differences in achievement were not significant although GPA, family income, and number of prior economic classes displayed a trend towards significance. The trend of the data analysis appeared to confirm the beneficial effects of CAI and the theory of operant conditioning