Centralized Data Storage Research Articles

An open information system for the swine production and marketing industry: Its scope, topology and telecommunications strategy

On the basis of data originating from producers and users in the swine production industry, the structure of a comprehensive information system (IS) is proposed that should cover the information needs of all participants in the process. Some present-day computer/record keeping systems are outlined and their limitations pointed out. From considerations of the scope of a comprehensive IS, it is concluded that the resultant topology of an IS calls for on-farm computers handling all data originating and pertaining to their respective locations and a central system which stores all data from every participant. The central database of identical structure contains all peripheral data as copy of the onfarm database. Also, the same operating system is run throughout the network. The information system is run functionally as a distributed database. The ensuing problems connected with redundant central storage of data are evaluated leading to the development of a high-level telecommunication protocol. A telecommunication strategy developed and implemented in the context of a distributed herdbook management system is presented from the perspective of a system designer and discussed in relation to the problems in an open information system in pig production. Its limitations are pointed out leading to a telecommunication strategy based on UNIX and international standards.

Multiple interfaces message passing system for transputer network

One of the most important factor that determine the performance of the parallel multiprocessor system is the establishment of an optimized communication system between the different tasks of an application running in distinct Processing Elements (PE) of a parallel processor array. The presented work suggests the use of a Multiple Interface Message Passing System (MIMPS) for a distributed transputer network, as an efficient solution to complex application requirements. The MIMPS is studied on a mesh topology network of 16 transputers T800. The MIMPC manages communication between application tasks through three interfaces. The application designer chooses the appropriate interface depending on the function of the task. A send/receive asynchronous interface (Interface I) handles efficiently server tasks like central facilities, data storage and access tasks and graphic servers, a synchronous send/receive interface (Interface 2) handles tasks which communicate rarely and a virtual channel interface (Interface 3) handles heavy communicating tasks. Features of the MIMPS as communication speed and computation overhead due to communication are given. The MIMPS is written in INMOS ANSI Parallel C.

A Six-Man Computerized Audiometer

A computerized audiometer and its validation will be discussed. The computer system was specifically designed for mass testing in hearing conservation programs and is capable of obtaining up to six audiometric thresholds concurrently using “manual audiometric” methodologies, modified in accordance with signal-detection theory to increase threshold reliability. As part of the testing procedure, the subjects' response patterns are evaluated according to specific criteria to assess the validity and the reliability of the obtained thresholds. Following the termination of testing, pertinent personal statistics and threshold values are stored by the computer on data cassettes for subsequent processing by a central data storage and retrieval system. Emphasis will be placed on the procedural aspects of this study and on the results which demonstrate the acceptability and reliability of the testing method.