Fault-Tolerant Computers for Spacecraft

Abstract

Recent advances in micro-electronics and in computer architecture have led to renewed interest in fault-tolerant computers for spacecraft applications. The general field of fault-tolerant computers is surveyed, and concepts of static and dynamic redundancy, error detection by code or multiple processing, and the significance of low-level redundancy are explained. Prior efforts in the design of fault-tolerant computers for space applications are surveyed with processing capability, weight, and reliability estimates listed for a number of representative efforts. The SAMSO Fault-Tolerant Spaceborne Computer (FTSC) is the most current of these developments, and it is described in greater detail together with the proposed reliability test methodology for the prototype. Recent developments in reliability estimation, employment of microprocessors, and fault-tolerant software that are related to this field are briefly discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 06, 1977
Accession Number
ADA041483

Entities

People

  • H. Hecht

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Computing System Architectures
  • Corporations
  • Data Processing
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fault Tolerance
  • Fault Tolerant Computing
  • Information Processing
  • Manned Spacecraft
  • Space Probes
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Space