Computer Processing System Research Articles

Software Project Management of the Real-Time Process Computer System (COPOS-4)

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience with the software project management of a large scale real-time process computer system. This system consists of 23 sets of process computer system called TOSBAC-7/40E (2 MIPS), which are connected via high speed data highway system named TOSWAY-1OOM (100 Mbps). The scale of developed software is about 400, 000 steps including total 2, 200 pages of software design documents. The man-power required for software implementation was total 300 man-months, while more than 40 programmers were needed during the peak load period. We learned some essential rules about the management of software engineers and programmers from this “successful” project. This experience will become an asset to us for the software project management and could be of value to the software project managers in the other field.

Practical Improvements in the Management of Real-Time Software Projects

The experience gained during the development of software - based on real-time process computer systems is reviewed for two similar projects. A completed project of more than 100 man-years effort is analysed in order to identify the most significant problems and factors which influenced the productivity, quality and success of the project. Based on this experience, improved technology and methods are discussed which are being employed in the second large project currently in development. The topics of project organisation, software life cycle, software design, development tools and productivity are covered for both of the projects. The contraints on such projects imposed by their complexity and organisation within a large company as well as their economic success require a pragmatic and realistic approach. Die gewonnene Erfahrung waehrend der Entwicklung von softwarebasierenden Echtzeitprozessrechensystemen wird fuer zwei aehnliche Projekte ausgewertet. Ein abgeschlossenes Projekt von mehr als 100 Mannjahre Aufwand wird analysiert, um die markanten Probleme und Faktoren zu identifizieren, welche die Produktivitaet und Qualitaet, sowie den Erfolg eines Projektes beeinflussen. Ausgehend von diesen Erfahrungen werden verbesserte Technologien und Methoden eroertert, die im z. Zt. befindlichen grossen zweiten Projekt angewendet werden. Die Grundzuege der Projektorganisation, des Softwarephasenplans und -designs, sowie der Entwicklungswerkzeuge und der Produktivitaet sind fuer beide Projekte erlaeutert. Die bestehenden Projektzwaenge, hervorgerufen durch die Projektkomplexitaet und -organisation im Rahmen eines grossen (internationalen) Firmenbetriebs, ebenso wie der wirtschaftliche Erfolg des Projektes erfordern einen prakmatischen und realistischen Loesungsweg.

Detection and measurement of surface defects by automatic fringe analysis

A novel measurement and inspection system for the detection and measurement of surface defects, such as chips and cracks, has been developed and applied to engineering components such as cylindrical rollers. The position, depth and volume of such a defect can be determined automatically. Measurement of such defects requires that three-dimensional information be made available for computer analysis. This is achieved by using a grating projection technique to provide contour fringes on the object, i.e. to give depth information. The contoured object is viewed by a charge coupled device (CCD) camera, the output of which is digitised and stored in a frame buffer from which it is available to a computer system for digital image processing, analysis and comparison. Calibration tests on defects of known size have confirmed that the system is fast and accurate.

Biomedical Image Processing for Age Measurements of Intact Teeth

With increasing age the roots of teeth undergo sclerosis. The degree of dental root sclerosis can be demonstrated visually if light is transmitted through the specimen. However, this resultant image is only a two-dimensional (2-D) visualization which misrepresents what in truth is a three-dimensional (3-D) characteristic. We have described an image acquisition and computer processing system for imaging intact teeth, with special reference to the root transparency, which tends to progress from the root apex towards the neck of the teeth as a function of age. The components of our system involve: an energy source with light transmission through table-mounted dental specimens; an image processor with a digitizer; a step motor with a holder to rotate the tooth specimen; and a software package to computerize and reconstruct the sectional digital images. After rotating the position of the specimen, while at each rotation obtaining a 2-D image of the sample, we then can reconstruct the true 3-D cross-sectional or longitudinal morphology or both from these 2-D images. With this new approach, the reconstructed dental images represent segments from different angles of the tooth specimen. Picture element values in each image, quantitatively indicate the optical density, expressing the age dependent pattern of the 3-D anatomy in toto.

Various Design Aspects of Microcomputer Applications in Power Engineering

Since 1976, the author is engaged in design, development and installation of process computer and microprocessor systems in power engineering. Based on this experience, the paper illustrates, which design criteria of microprocessor systems are of special importance for application in power plants. Among others, the following aspects are dealt with: selecting the processor type, memory types, process interlace, power supply, mechanical design, software design. To ensure safe operation even in case of a processor system fault, special provisions have to be taken, One section discusses the most commonly used method to achieve sufficient system reliability. Finally, a summary of the applications of microcomputers in power plants is given.

Multiclass queueing networks with population constrainted subnetworks

A Multiclass Queueing Network model (MQN) is partitioned into a set of disjoint subnetworks. Population constraints are applied to each subnetwork such that within each subnetwork each population chain is either subject to an individual population constraint, or a group of chains may be subject to a common (shared) population constraint. Such population constraints are necessary in order to model multiprogramming level constraints in mainframe computer systems and window flow control mechanisms in computer communication networks. A computationally efficient approximate solution method is developed for solving MQN's with population constraints. Each subnetwork is reduced to a single approximately flow equivalent composite centre by assuming that the effect of other chains on a given chain can be adequately represented by their average customer populations. The accuracy of the population constraint approximation is compared against previous techniques by applying it to a set of test cases for which simulation solutions have previously been reported. The accuracy of the approximation technique is found to be good and in general is an improvement over previously published concurrency constraint approximations.

Mainframe computer systems are not so bad

Mainframe computer systems are not so bad

A versatile and quantitative computer‐assisted photoelectronic technique used for the analysis of ciliary beat cycles

The beat cycles of rabbit tracheal cilia in culture and Mytilus laterofrontal cirri were recorded using a phototransistor, transillumination, video, and phase-contrast microscopy. The photoelectronic signal and video image of the ciliary activity were simultaneously recorded as a composite image. The photoelectronic signal was converted into a digital signal by a data acquisition system for further computer processing. By the selection of a small detector area and accurate detector alignment, a simple, repetitive photoelectronic signal representing ciliary activity was obtained. This signal records the ciliary beat frequency and demonstrates the triphasic nature of the beat cycle. The photoelectronic signal can be precisely correlated with the ciliary activity by analysis of the composite video recordings to provide the duration of the effective, recovery, and rest phases of the beat cycle. The video-photoelectronic signal correlations were verified by high-speed cinematography. High-speed films of ciliary activity were digitized, and the image density of selected pixels was analyzed by computer with respect to time and ciliary motion. These studies indicate that duration of the phases of the beat cycle are differentially reduced with increased beat frequency; the effective phase duration was quickly reduced to a minimum. This was followed by the reduction of the duration of the recovery phase to a minimum. The rest phase continues to be reduced without reaching a minimum, over the range of beat frequencies observed. These results suggest that ciliary beat frequency may be regulated either by modifying the rates of dynein-microtubule interactions or the rate of transition from one beat phase to the next.

A Fault-Tolerant Multimicroprocessor-Based Computer System for Space-Based Signal Processing

Ensuring the reliability of processing modules on board a satellite would mean a significant reduction in communication bandwidth. The FASP system incorporates a number of software and hardware levels in a fault-tolerantdesign for high-performance applications.

Accessible Computers in the University

Analyzes the issues involved in setting up and maintaining an accessible mainframe computer system, and describes how one university did so using available adaptive components. A listing of universities and colleges possessing such systems is presented.

Local Area Networks: Rationalizing the Management of Microcomputers.

Four management functions are required to effectively manage all computing resources: resource management, security/user access management, software management, and communications facilitation. The functions are well developed for mainframe and mini computer systems, but their application to the microcomputer environment has not been well addressed. Three management approaches to managing microcomputers are: laissez-faire, central coordination, and system integration. System integration provides the management environment most like that of mainframe systems, thereby allowing existing management tools to be used. The system integration approach requires the development of a local area network that includes features not yet widely available in commercial products.

An intensive instruction format for information systems

For over fifteen years Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has offered management information systems courses using an intensive weekend format at locations around the United States. Although a variety of information systems courses in the Masters of Business Administration has been provided, the most frequently taught course has been Introduction to Information Systems. The introduction course combines elementary computer and data processing concepts, programming, applications, and systems analysis and design. However, the emphasis of the course is analysis and design of systems from a manager, or user frame of reference. Because of the nontraditional format of the course, a variety of instructional strategies have evolved to insure successful student achievement of course objectives. Frequent comparisons between the test scores of students finishing the off-campus program and students completing the on-campus program indicate that the achievement levels are equivalent.

The Z8000 peripheral family

The current generation of high-performance microprocessors, such as the Z8003 and Z8004 VMPUs, are being utilized in microcomputer systems that offer processing power formerly available only in far more expensive minicomputer and mainframe computer systems. These high-performance systems require peripheral circuits that can themselves perform complicated tasks, thereby unburdening the CPU, reducing bus traffic, and increasing system throughput. The Z8000 family of peripherals is composed of powerful, multifunction devices that can be configured under program control for a particular application. Earlier articles in this series described the Z8003 and Z8004 Virtual Memory Processing Units and the Z8010 and Z8015 Memory Management Units; this article will overview the Z8000 family of peripheral components.

Computer control of decentralized process systems

All processes, such as oil refineries, chemical plants, steel mills, etc. are distributed in the sense that the process equipment, measurement sensors and final control elements are distributed over a significant geographical area. Historically, process control systems have changed from the original, fully-distributed, manual systems, to centralized control rooms, to what are now called distributed computer control systems. This paper presents a board overview of process-computer systems from the point of view of the user, or process engineer. The major conclusions are that process computer systems are evolving from first-level process control functions to higher-level plant supervisory and management functions; that it is time to change from bottom-up development to top-down design; that process computer systems are becoming less of a separate specialty, and more of an inter-disciplinary area; and that there is a real need for an organized, international group of process and computer-oriented people to develop a high-level functional specification and statement of requirements for plant-wide process control and management systems. The design and implementation of such systems should be done by computer specialists, not process personnel. Interdisciplinary cooperation will lead to better process systems.

A Multi-Level Alarm Information Processing System Applied to Thermal Power Plant

The purpose of this alarm system is to assist the operator during emergencies as well as during normal operating conditions by use of the process computer system to achieve safe and reliable power plant monitoring functions. During the normal operating conditions, the conventional computer alarm system provided sufficient information for the operator. During the abnormal plant conditions, however, too much information is produced due to momentary plant excursions above alarm limits. This flood of information impedes correct interpretation and correction of plant conditions by the operator.In this paper, a new man-machine system is introduced, which is realized by the operator and process computer system. The facility to suppress the excess messages is provided to control the message output rate to the operator. The measure of the output messages is defined to be based on the "Alarm Message Activity". By adopting this new alarm system, the safe and reliable operation of the thermal power plant can be achieved.

Ambulatory ECG processing on a general purpose minicomputer

A computer processing system for ambulatory ECGs is described. The main objective of the design is a reliable and flexible tool for research studies on cardiac dysrhythmias. This is provided by several verification features inserted into the interaction with the system in order to permit voluntary operator intervention during the waveform detection and classification operations. Intermediary storage files are created to receive data segments of special interest which may thus be subjected to a more detailed analysis if desired. Most of the software is written in FORTRAN language and implemented on a PDP-11 computer (Digital Equipment Corp.). To date, the system has been used primarily to quantiate spontaneous occurrence of dysrhythmias and to evaluate the pharmacological effects of antiarrhythmic medications.

Language and the brain: Implications from new computer models

Computer systems for processing and “understanding” natural language have, up to now, used semantic and syntactic procedures that provide meanings of words in terms only of other words or some structural algorithms that ultimately relate to other words. There is a long-standing and widely held belief that words, or their unknown neuronal correlates, are fundamental to verbal meaning, concepts, and thought but over the last decade, evidence has been accumulating in neurology and psychology to indicate that this is not so. We have developed a new computer system for representing the meaning of words and sentences, by which word meanings are described non-verbally in terms of sensorimotor and other modality codes. It is suggested here that the principles of this system might usefully be applied to understanding the cerebral mechanisms of some verbal and cognitive processes and their disorders. In particular the hypothesis is proposed that verbal meaning is essentially non-verbal, and that it may be represented, for both words and sentences in terms of interassociated modal percepts or their neuronal correlates.

A productivity measurement model using a programmable calculator

A comprehensive total factor productivity measurement model has been developed by the American Productivity Center for use in firm-level and plant-level productivity measurement. The computer program for this model is available from the APC in Houston, Texas for use on a main-frame computer system. However, this model has now been programmed for use on a Texas Instruments TI-59 programmable calculator with a PC-100 printer. This makes possible several inexpensive applications of the model, including the use of the model for small business with limited computer availability, use by consultants for developing complex measurement systems, and for training purposes in the application of the model and analysis of results. The article describes total factor productivity, discusses the APC model, and presents the program listing and operating instructions for the programmable calculator version of the model.

Distributed processing for the solution of engineering problems

For large scientific and engineering application programs that enjoy a relatively large distribution or usage, it is reasonable to expect that a distributed processing system may be developed that offers minimum computational cost, as well as providing a maximum utilization of manpower. Interactive pre- and post-processing would utilize one computer system that incorporated hardware and operating system features that were matched to that type of processing, while the batch-oriented processing phase would utilize a second computer system with features matched to that type of processing. The processors would be linked by a high-speed data channel. Each processor would have access to a local disk storage system so that files could be staged between them. Job control software would be used to control the processing environment. Although distributed processing systems are used in the large national laboratories and research centers, the concept is applicable to most computer centers engaged in large scientific and engineering projects. As manpower costs continue to climb and the cost of computations continue to fall, multiple processor computer systems, which address specific needs of various phases of application programs, become a very attractive alternative to the shared, centralized computer system.

Practical Management and Control Systems in the Steel Industry - A Case Study of KIIS (Kimitsu Integrated Information System): Case 3. Present State and History of the Development of Process Computer Systems in KIIS

Process control computers, installed as a part of KIIS at major plants of Kimitsu Works, are playing an indispensable role in the improvement of product quality and material conservation.The number of process control computers in use has been increasing rapidly even after the energy crisis, due to the company's growing need to reduce production costs and to attain higher quality of steel products.In order to efficiently design, develop, and maintain process computer systems, various innovations and improvements in management and computer application technology have been accomplished. Some of them are described as the examples of features of Kimitsu process computer systems in connection with organization, function assignment, system configuration, system design, mathematical-model development, and program development of the systems.