Industrial Computer Systems Research Articles

Real-Time Operating System Software for a Multiprocessor System

Some details of a complete system software for the MULREG1 system are discussed. The system was designed for process control purposes in an experimental environment. It allows parallel execution of any number of application processes communicating through use of synchronization elements (multiprogramming) . Furthermore the number of actual processors of the system and the interconnection structure of these is virtually transparent at the application level. The system software has been constructed in a number of layers starting from an operating system kernel, which has been implemented according to the recommendations of the TC8 working group of the European Work shop on Industrial Computer Systems (EWICS). Provided by the higher layers is a.o. a facility for dynamical (on-line) reconfiguration of systems of cooperating application processes as well as a hardware supported scheme for protecting system software and the code and data of existing processes from faults in newly introduced application processes. The system also allows application processes to be programmed without knowledge of the processes or devices with which they will exchange data. At the same time it obtains isolation of system data from application processes and implements programable restrictions on access to system elements (processes and synchronization elements) for a particular process.

The LTPL‐E tasking proposals

AbstractThe Long Term Procedural Language Committee of the International Purdue Workshop for the Standardization of Industrial Computer Systems has studied, over a number of years, the design of a programming language suitable for use in industrial real‐time systems. Various parts of a language suitable for this kind of application have been designed during this period. This paper presents the results of part of this work. In particular it describes the tasking facilities that are seen to be necessary in the industrial real‐time environment. The paper concludes with a comparison of the proposed features with those in Ada.

Implementation oOf a Standard Language for Real-Time Distributed Process Control

Standards on Real-Time Languages for industrial and laboratory applications are currently being developed by the various committees of the International Purdue Workshop on Industrial Computer Systems. In particular,TC2 of Purdue Europe, with the support of the CEC and in conjunction with ANSI and ECMA, has formulated a Real-Time extension of BASIC. It is intended for application to process control and laboratory automation systems, included in a distributed intelligence environment.This paper describes an implementation of the new standard suitable for mini-computer and micro-processor systems. It combines the advantages of interactive program development with efficient compiled code, allowing its use over a wide range of applications.

A Survey of Methods for the Validation of Safety Related Software

This paper is written on behalf of the European Workshop on Industrial Computer Systems (Purdue Europe), Technical Committee on Safety and Security (TC 7). Its subgroup on software has studied the problems of safety related software for the last five years. This paper reports on most of this work that has been carried out by individual members of the group and that has been discussed thoroughly within this group. The main areas which are covered are specification, program construction, statistical and analytical testing methods and the use of tools. The paper closes with some conclusions and some remarks concerning future work.

Safety and Reliability - Their Terms and Models of Complex Systems

Some terms concerning reliable and safe industrial computer systems are qualitatively defined (European Purdue Workshop, TC Safety and Security). The fundamental model of reliability and safety of complex systems is defined by the set of system failure modes whereby the basic difference between hardware and software failure behaviour is discussed. Furthermore the characteristics and application of the model are illustrated and discussed by the example of a car in the traffic, whereby utility versus cost is evaluated by the term “system effectivness”, the comprehensive figure of merit of complex systems.

Simulation of an industrial computer system—A case study

The purpose of this work was to explain long term variations in computer system performance by developing and using a simple discrete event simulation model. The system studied was an IBM 370/165 (with OS/MVT) used by a major U.S. corporation over the 3 yr period of 1972 through 1974. The model was calibrated and validated against data from the actual system and was successfully used to develop relationships between work load, hardware configuration, and performance. These results were used to establish the cause of major degradations in service levels that had been experienced on the actual system and provide insight into functional dependencies otherwise unobtainable. The study demonstrated that a reasonable match between the behavior of a complex computer system in the real and simulated worlds can be obtained by using straightforward simulation techniques and readily available performance data.

Touch displays in industrial computer systems : McEwing, R.W. In: International Conference on Displays for Man-Machine Systems, 4–7 April 1977. Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, Conference Publication No 150, 1977, pp 79–81

Touch displays in industrial computer systems : McEwing, R.W. In: International Conference on Displays for Man-Machine Systems, 4–7 April 1977. Institution of Electrical Engineers, London, Conference Publication No 150, 1977, pp 79–81

First Steps in Standardization of Real-Time Operating Systems: A Report of the Technical Committee on Real-Time Operating Systems of Purdue Europe

The paper first shows the organization of the International PURDUE Workshop on Industrial Computer Systems and then the special working conditions of the Technical Committee on Real-Time Operating Systems and its relations to the language groups working in the workshop. The scope and goals of the Committee are shown. The first results, mainly extracts of the report of the committee form the major part of this paper. A short description of the relation between existing operating systems and the work of the TC on Real-Time Operating Systems is added.

Consideration of Human Factors During the Development of Industrial Computer Systems

Experience shows that it takes more than proven hardware, proven software and experienced technicians to implement a functioning and cost-effective computer system. Implementation of a useful computer system requires consideration of the human problems and the social climate in which the system is developed and used. Better understanding of the human and social aspects will not only increase the effectiveness of computer systems but also help to achieve human self-realization in his work. And there is not necessarily a conflict between economical objectives and the managerial responsibility to provide psychological health and job satisfaction.

The International Purdue Workshop on Industrial Computer Systems and Its Work in Promoting Computer Control Guidelines and Standards

This short description is an attempt to show some of the extensive standards work now being carried out by the Purdue Workshop in the field of the applications of digital computers to plant data collection, monitoring, and other automatic control tasks. The continued success of this work will depend upon the cooperation with and acceptance of the overall results of these developments by the vendor and user company managements and the help of their personnel on the various committees involved.