INVESTIGATIONS OF APPLICATIONS OF GENERAL-PURPOSE COMPUTERS TO SPACE SYSTEMS COMMUNICATION/CONTROL SYSTEMS.
Abstract
Present space vehicles utilize a number of special-purpose computers to perform the requisite functional operations. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and practicality of replacing the special-purpose units with the general-purpose computer. To adequately determine therequisite characteristics of general purpose digital computer for space systems, the functions that such a system will be required to perform have been investigated. This study has been limited to functions that are actively being performed in current missions or proposed for scheduled missions. For each function, a flow diagram describing the information and program progression was made. From these diagrams, a functional program for hypothetical machine was written. The results thus obtained provided sufficient information to evolve recommended design and to delineate machine characteristics. In addition, the hardware requirements have been computed. The resultant computer consumes 135 watts, occupies 2 cu ft, weighs 70 lb, and establishes the feasibility of using general-purpose programmable digital computer to replace the many presently used special-purpose computers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0487636
Entities
People
- E. A. Poe
- G. T. Uber
- R. A. Yocke
- R. E. Jeffers
- R. M. Pentz
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space