Research in the effective implementation of guidance computers with large scale arrays Interim report

Functional logic character implementation in breadboard design of NASA modular compute

A forward view on reliable computers for flight control

The requirements for fault-tolerant computers for flight control of commercial aircraft are examined; it is concluded that the reliability requirements far exceed those typically quoted for space missions. Examination of circuit technology and alternative computer architectures indicates that the desired reliability can be achieved with several different computer structures, though there are obvious advantages to those that are more economic, more reliable, and, very importantly, more certifiable as to fault tolerance. Progress in this field is expected to bring about better computer systems that are more rigorously designed and analyzed even though computational requirements are expected to increase significantly

Autonomous spacecraft maintenance study group

A plan to incorporate autonomous spacecraft maintenance (ASM) capabilities into Air Force spacecraft by 1989 is outlined. It includes the successful operation of the spacecraft without ground operator intervention for extended periods of time. Mechanisms, along with a fault tolerant data processing system (including a nonvolatile backup memory) and an autonomous navigation capability, are needed to replace the routine servicing that is presently performed by the ground system. The state of the art fault handling capabilities of various spacecraft and computers are described, and a set conceptual design requirements needed to achieve ASM is established. Implementations for near term technology development needed for an ASM proof of concept demonstration by 1985, and a research agenda addressing long range academic research for an advanced ASM system for 1990s are established

Application of advanced technology to space automation

Automated operations in space provide the key to optimized mission design and data acquisition at minimum cost for the future. The results of this study strongly accentuate this statement and should provide further incentive for immediate development of specific automtion technology as defined herein. Essential automation technology requirements were identified for future programs. The study was undertaken to address the future role of automation in the space program, the potential benefits to be derived, and the technology efforts that should be directed toward obtaining these benefits

Design of testbed and emulation tools

The research summarized was concerned with the design of testbed and emulation tools suitable to assist in projecting, with reasonable accuracy, the expected performance of highly concurrent computing systems on large, complete applications. Such testbed and emulation tools are intended for the eventual use of those exploring new concurrent system architectures and organizations, either as users or as designers of such systems. While a range of alternatives was considered, a software based set of hierarchical tools was chosen to provide maximum flexibility, to ease in moving to new computers as technology improves and to take advantage of the inherent reliability and availability of commercially available computing systems

Z transform and the use of the digital differential analyzer as a peripheral device to a general purpose computer

Z transform and use of digital differential analyzer as peripheral device to general purpose compute

Fault diagnostic instrumentation design for environmental control and life support systems

As a development phase moves toward flight hardware, the system availability becomes an important design aspect which requires high reliability and maintainability. As part of continous development efforts, a program to evaluate, design, and demonstrate advanced instrumentation fault diagnostics was successfully completed. Fault tolerance designs for reliability and other instrumenation capabilities to increase maintainability were evaluated and studied

Concepts in LSI servo-control-electronics

This thesis deals with the engineering aspects of control electronics. It examines modern concepts of servo-control theory in the light of recent developments in the technology of monolithic circuits. Applicational considerations are slanted towards Aerospace standards of reliability and power-consumption economy. Conclusions drawn from the discussion of fabrication constraints and performance requirements lead to a preference for digital implementations. Yield problems on one hand and aging effects on the other greatly reduce the feasibility rating of analog arrays. Current practice in servo-control electronics revolves around purely analog implementations, sampled-data systems and Primitive on-off arrangements. The motivation behind the status quo and the justification of the proposed approach are discussed in detail. The organization of digital systems is examined in order to demonstrate the feasibility of Large Scale Integration (LSI) in servo-control electronics. The questions of hardware versatility and power-dissipation economy are emphasized from technological, economical and applicational standpoints. Self-Contained loops and Computer-Aided systems investigated within the ramifications of a functional division into Detectors, Compensators and Drivers. Differential Frequency Modulation is assumed to effect the information transfer from the Pick-Off coil of the transducer to tie input ports of the Ratemeter. Pulse Width-Frequency Modulation is employed at the Driver-Torquer interface. The operation of the Ratameter conforms with classical logic, except for a slope-independent Level-Crossing-Discriminator (LCD), which is designed to provide a time-resolution gain of 3 db. over conventional frequency detectors. Circuit detais of the LCD are given in order to illustrate differences between integrated and discrete circuit configurations. Two types of compensators are discussed: canonic pole-zero arrangements with ROM multipliers and Kalman fiiters with stored-program implementations of covariance equations. The concept of Pulse-Width-Frequency-Modulation (PWFM) is introduced co reconcile the dynamic-range requirements or servo-control drivers with the time-resolution limitations of power transistors. Simple means of implementation of PWFM are also given; they take the form. of a combination of logic-gates and DDA elements, a technique which could be used to advantage in other applications, especially digital detection and filtration