nonEngineer Val. 25 No. 3 Oct./Nov. 1979

Microprocessor applications IMCWA1 Engineer A technical journal published by RCA Research and Engineering Bldg. 204-2 Cherry Hill, N.J. 08358 Tel. 222-4254 (609-338-4254)

MEN1 Engineer RCA Engineer Staff Vol 25 No 3 Oct 'Nov 1979 Tom King Editor Betty Stotts Assistant Editor Louise Carr Art Editor Frank Strobl Contributing Editor Betty Gutchigian Composition Dottie Snyder Editorial Secretary

Editorial Advisory Board

Pete Bingham Div. VP, Engineering, Consumer Electronics Div. Jay Brandinger Div. VP, SelectaVision VideoDisc Operations John Christopher VP, Tech. Operations, RCA Americom Bill Hartzell Div. VP, Engineering, Picture Tube Division Jim Hepburn VP, Advanced Programs RCA Globcom Hans Jenny Manager, Engineering applications Information Arch Luther Chief Engineer, Commercial The cover is an artist's interpretation of an "intelligent" Communications Systems Div. product with the microprocessor as its "brain." (In this Howie Rosenthal case, we show the 1804 microcomputer, soon to be Staff VP, Engineering released on the market.) Each of the surrounding Carl Turner Div. VP, Product Assurance segments represents the types of devices which make the and Planning, microprocessor work effectively in a product. Solid State Div. Bill Underwood Director, Engineering The ANALOG segment represents those devices which convert the incoming and outgoing signals from analog Professional Programs to digital and vice versa. CRT (cathode ray tube) refers to Joe Volpe Director, Product Operations, a display device for microcomputer to operator informa- Missile and Surface Radar tion. DMA (direct memory access) devices permit high Bill Webster VP, Laboratories speed access to data stored in the computer's memory without disrupting normal computer operation. The memory (MEM) segment represents the stored informa- Consulting Editors tion of the system. MATH: Because are usually not designed to perform arithmetic operations Ed Burke Administrator, Marketing efficiently, special chips have been designed to perform Information and Communications, these operations while interfacing with the micro- Government Systems Div. processor. Most multi -microprocessor systems consist Walt Dennen Director, Public Affairs, of a master processor along with SLAVE processors that Solid State Division run in parallel with the master but take their direction from it. Charlie Foster Mgr., Scientific Publications, Laboratories The importance of choosing the appropriate micro- John Phillips Mgr., Proposals and Publicity, processor and peripheral devices for each application is Automated Systems stressed in Don Latham's cover message on the next page. To disseminate to RCA engineers technical information of professional value To publishinan appropriate manner important technical developments at RCA, and the role of the engineer To serve as a medium of interchange of technical information between various groups at RCA To create a community of engineering interest within the company by stressing the interrelated nature of all technical contributions To help publicize engineering achievements in a manner that will promote the interests and reputation of RCA in the engineering field To provide a convenient means by which the RCA engineer may review his professional work before associates and engineering management To announce outstanding and unusual achievements of RCA engineers in a manner most likely to enhance their prestige and professional status. Microprocessors: their impact on system designs and systems designers

Microprocessors mimicked hardware features in software, are a milestone basically, doing the same thing in a different way. achievement in More recently, however, with the maturing of technology which microprocessor architecture and software will very likely have design and testing, we are beginning to realize an impact on or applications which were initially considered im- lives comparable to possible or unreasonable. that of the priming press, the internal The necessity for radical departures in the way combustion of doing business places new demands on engine, and the design and systems ergineers. Each engineer transistor. Fulfill- must become familiar with the new technology. ment of a Selecting the "right" microprocessor for an application is not a trival chore: 60 to 80 different Donald C. Latham technological promise can be so microprocessor architectures are readily available on the commercial market, and an long in coming that the impact of new products is not immediately recognized, but micro- additional three to ten times that number are available in supporting functional LSI arrays. processors have had an impact while still in their Many key characteristics must be evaluated, infancy. Significantly, the microprocessor such as flexibility of instruction set, data type potential continues to grow and promises to be manipulation, memory address modes, and flex- overwhelming. On -chip density and speed im- provements in the next three to five years may ibility of the I/O and c' the arithmetic and logic reach 100,000 gates per chip with internal clock operations. rates over 100 MHz. With this level of technology, Typically less than ten percent of a micro- extremely complex computer and signal processor -based project involves pure hardware processing systems could be integrated on a design issues, while the remaining 90 percent is single chip. Application desicns will become devoted to microprocessor selection, systems even more software intensive, and hardware architecture planning, software design, system costs in both computer and memory will be integration, and testing. As a result, today's driven down to a small fraction of the overall microprocessor systems designers must make costs. extensive hardware/software tradeoffs at the front end of the program, develop innovative Full realization of microprccessor potential programmable designs, create test philosophies, requires new and perhaps radical approaches and employ key testing tools such as logic and discipline in system design, software and analyzers, pattern generators, and in -circuit firmware development, test and evaluation, and emulators. field service. Imagination and resourcefulness will be as necessary in this process as they were In this issue, we have a sampling of RCA 25 years ago in the initial attempts to apply the microprocessor applications. A host of exciting, transistor. and even revolutionary, new microprocessor - based products and systems are soon to follow. For many years after the invention of the transistor and its availability, we had to wean electronic equipment designers from the notion of replacing vacuum tubes with transistors on a one -for -one basis. Once this elementary notion e was dismissed, the full potential of transistor circuits was realized, and an entirely new Donald C. Latham generation of electronic products appeared. An Division Vice President, Engineering analogous situation exists with microprocessor Government Systems Division applications. Many early applications simply Moorestown, N.J. Highlights introduction

why is the microprocessor industry growing at such a rapid pace and what will be its effect on the application's concept?

microprocessor -based products ACTIVE AREA

RCA is making intelligent TV receivers 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 1415 16 1718 19

and cameras. 2021 22 2324 2526 272829

3031 32 3334 3536 373839 404142 4344 4546 474849

50 51 52 5354 5556 575859

6061 62 6364 6566 676869

70 7172 7374 7576 777879 808182 83 DOWN VOLUME UP microprocessors in systems 3. microprocessors aid in energy conservation for automotive, temperature -regulation and communication systems.

DOC Pr tss$

microprocessors in manufacturing

introducing intelligence into automatic testing saves money and reduces errors in electrical parts inspection.

In future issues quality & reliability, RCA worldwide, color TV receivers, anniversary issue pumaEngineer Vol 25INo. 3 Oct.1Nov. 79

introduction 4 The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution P.M. Russo 14 A microcomputer glossary P.P. Fasang microprocessor -based 17 The "berry picking" approach to computer systems development products B. AstleIM. LurielK. Schroeder 22 Intelligent controllers for color -television receivers K. Karstad 27 The AutoProgrammer B.W. BeyersIA.J. Suchko 30 82 -channel, single -touch TV tuning system D. Sprague

microprocessors 34 Software techniques for a microprocessor -based data in systems acquisition device H.A. Goldstand 39 MASS-a modular ESM signal processor A. Kaplan ID.L. Sherwood 43 Microprocessors in automotive electronics D.R. Carley 47 Alarm status monitoring and reporting W.D. Henn 50 Microcomputer system design for remote process control A. AbramovichlA.K. Patel 55 Software design methodologies applied to remote process control R. Poulo

microprocessors 60 Dedicated microprocessor -based testers for improved in manufacturing fault isolation M. HerskowitzlN.J. Fedele

on the job/off the job 64 Reports on how RCA people are using microprocessors

learning about 68 Microprocessor/software-oriented educational program at RCA microprocessors P.P. Fasang

general interest 72 The TK-47 Autocam television camera L.J. ThorpeIR.A. Dischert 76 Rapid RMA assessment-the painless plot F.A. Eblel E.W. Richards, Jr.

departments 81 Dates and Deadlines 82 Pen and Podium 84 Patents 85 News and Highlights

Copyright c 1979 RCA Corporation All rights reserved :74 40, IF , 11

a

a

RCA 1804, introduced in 1979, 32,000 transistors, 54,500 mi.' are

- CMOS SOS. re=-- r

RCA 1802, introi.iced in 1975, 5400 transistors, 40 00C nil' area, CMOS.

Intel 81386, introduced in 1978, 29,000 transistors. E1,030 roil' area, , intrcduced in '974, 4500 transistors, 32,400 mil' area, HMOSt. NMOSt t Courtesy of INTEL corporation

Russo: The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution P.M. Russo

The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution

Microprocessor and microcomputer applications have a profound impact on industry as well as the individual consumer - yesterday, a computer; today, a micro- processor; tomorrow, personalized microcomputer systems.

in Fig.1.It took a decade from the 1945 As stated above, the first microprocessor Abstract:The capability of large scale invention of the stored program computer (AP), the Intel 4004, was commercialized in integrationand its interaction with rapidly (instructions and data storedin same 1971.The 4004conceptarosefrom evolving computer and microprocessor memory) to the development of the first all - attemptingtosatisfyseveralcustom technologies are reviewed. The micro- transistor machine. A decade later, stan- calculator chip designs with a single family processor industry is discussed with special dard digital logic families such as Texas of LSI parts. Though Intel is often granted emphasis on categorizing microprocessors Instrument's TTL and RCA's COS/ MOS the honor of inventing the µP, it is fair to and projecting unit and dollar sales began to emerge. This is the era when Large point out that many computer architects volumes .Industrial, commercial and Scale Integration (LSI) capability, which with an interest in LSI were postulating, consumer applications of microprocessors allowed one to interconnect large numbers and working towards microprocessors are reviewed, focusing primarily on new of transistors on a single piece of silicon prior to this date. The early work on the products made possible by this new substrate, began to evolve. RCA 1802, for example, predates the Intel technology. Finally, a brief look is taken at future trends in microsystem evolution and their impact on the emerging applications 1945 VON NEUMCUN MACHINE (DATA + INSTRUCTIONS revolution. IN S \ME ME31013Y) ENIAC (TUBES) 1946 1948 BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR INVENTED The rapidly unfolding digital LSI revolu- (BELL LABOF ATORIESI tion, which began in the late 1960s,is NTSC COLOR TFANSMISSION STANDARD 1954 (RCA) leaving a permanent imprint on many 1955 FIRET ALL 3ANSISTOR COMPUTER aspects of our lives. The first computer MDS TRANSIETC R INVENTED 195E revolution began with Von Neumann's 1960 FIRET USE 0-7 PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY FOR MAKING IC's 1945,' and rapidly evolved to work in TTL, FIRST LOGIC FAMILY 1963 CMCS STRU:TURE INVENTED (RCA) today's highly computerized and data - (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS) oriented society. The second computer IS. CAPABILITY CMCS LOGIC FAMILY (RCA) revolution began with the commercializa- 1971 FIRET COMMERCIAL MICROPROCESSOR tion of the microprocessor in 1971, when 64K BIT RAsA's (INTEL 40042250 TRANSISTORS) 256K BIT CCD's 1977 5411- U.S. CC MPUTER INDUSTRY Intel introduced the 4004, 4 -bit single chip 256K BIT BUBBLES 1971 central processing unit (CPU).2 It took a 256K BIT INAGERS 30K TRANSISTOR LOGIC IC's few years for the business impact of 16 BIT M CROPROCESSORS IM E IT BUBE _ES 1979 70K TRANS TOR LOGIC IC's microprocessors to be understood, and a BEGINNING OF APPLICATIONS REVOLUTION few more years for the potential effect on $6.C13 U.S S iMICONDUCTOR SALES the consumer to be visualized! 1980 The rapid progress in computer and 32 EIT MICROPROCESSORS digital electronics technology is illustrated 256K BIT RAM's MULTI BILL ION SUS IC INDUSTRY 4-80 BIT BUBBLES Reprint RE -25-3-1 Final manuscript received Aug. 29. 1979. Fig. 1. Evolution in technology.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 5 MICROCOMPUTER INTEL BUBBLE

DIRECT MEMORY CCD ( IPA BIT ) MICROPROCESSOR 7 A IMAGERS cL CENTRAL PROCESSING MEMORY MEMORY IM UNIT RAM ROM /E PROM ( CPU ) Cc I ti 64K

ADDRESS I cr REGULAR MOTOROLA O 4K STRUCTURES TI 64K MC 68000 in (RAM, ROM, CCD ) BIT

DATA 8 ri0 BUS 171 RAM wir 256 CONTROL BUS I RANDOM tn LOGIC 1- 16 I 0 INTERFACE I/O INTERFACE 2

( PERIPHERAL O ( PERIPHERAL CONTROL I CONTROL ) a. X LI I I I I I I I III I I I '60 '65 '70 '75 '79'80 YEAR PERIPHERAL I/O DEVICES Fig. 3. Evolution in digital semiconductor IC complexity. Fig. 2. The fundamental sub -systems of any single -processor system. mask -programmed ROM (low-costfor thelate1950s, device complexity has 4004 announcement. Less than a decade high -volume applications)or EPROM doubled every year. The primary con- after theIntel 4004, million -device in- (UV light erasable, reprogrammable for tributing elements to this growth rate are tegrated circuits (ICs) are being sampled, low -volume applications). From the largerdiesize,higherdensity(finer powerfulI6 -bitmicroprocessors area above,itappearsthatminimal con- microstructure), and advances in device reality, and the applications revolution figurations for microprocessor -based design. This rate of progress has not been marches on to the accelerating rhythm of systems require three chips. Other system uniform for all technologies - for exam- the LSI drum. architectures may require the use of multi- ple, EPROM technology has been evolving ple CPUs to achieve desired objectives:2'5'8 at a rate where doubling in complexity has occurred about every two years (Table I). Microprocessors and Beyond 1979, the growth rate in IC Trends in LSI/ complexity will probably slow to doubling microcomputers VLSI technology every 1.5 to 2 years. The reasons for this Any single -processor computer system, slowing are due partially to technological from the simplest microwave oven con- The history of LSI and VLSI (Very Large limits being approached, but primarily to troller to a sophisticated data processing Scale Integration) is brief but explosive. the fact that it is not yet clear how designers system, consists of three classes of sub- Figure 3 illustrates the rapid evolution in can effectively make use of these complex systems: the central processing unit (CPU); IC capacity, with the upper boundary ICs containing hundreds of thousands of directmemory,whichcan be representing regularstructures (e.g., transistors.''" READ/ WRITE (RAM) and/or READ- RA Ms, ROMs, etc.) while the lower boun- The growth in complexity has a direct ONLY (ROM); and input/output (I/O) dary represents random logic (e.g., micro- effect on the cost of integrated circuits. The interfaces for peripheral control (Fig. 2). processors). cost of LSI integrated circuits consists of The CPU subsystem performsallthe Since the development of the metal two major components: silicon chip cost classicalarithmetic,logic, and control oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor in and assembly/ testcost.Based on the functions. The direct memory contains both the program (instructions to be ex- Table I. Evolution of EPROM technology. ecuted by the CPU) and the currently active data on which the CPU is operating. The I/O interfaces represent the critical YEAR communication links between the internal (SAMPLED) EXAMPLE BITS BYTES computer operations and the external world of I/ 0 devices such as mass memory, '71 1702 2K 256 keyboards, displays, etc. '73 2704 4K 512 Microprocessors (i.iPs) are single chip realizations of the CPU function of a '75 2708/2758 8K 1K computer system. Microcomputers (µCs), '77 2716 INTEL,TI 16K 2K in the context of this paper, are single chip realizations of the entire computer system '79 2532/2732 TI, INTEL 32K 4K function, i.e., CPU, RAM and ROM, and enough I/O capability to permit the single '80/'81 TI, MOSTEK, INTEL 64K 8K chip implementation of desired control '82/'85 128K 16K functions.Additionally,manymicro- computers sport an option of having either

6 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 available design techniques and process to develop large complex random logic ICs technology, silicon chip cost is roughly an and then specialize their application in exponential function of complexity. On the software. In fact, it is the invention of the other hand, the assembly/test cost, as a stored -program computer itself (of which first approximation, can be treated asµPs and µCs are embodiments) that has independent of complexity. This leads to spurred the use of RAM and ROM and has an inverse relationshipbetween generated the volumes needed to attain the

assembly/ test cost per function and com- exponentiallydecreasingper -bitcosts. CHANGE OF plexity. By combining these two com- Figure 7 illustrates LOWEST COST theevolutionof PER FUNCTION ponents, the cost per function will have a dynamic NMOS (N Channel MOS) RAM WIN TIME minimum corresponding to the optimumcost during the past decade, projected

complexity for the current state of the art through the early 1980s. It is our best guess COMPLEXITY PER CHIP design technique and process technology that costs of 0.012 cents/ bit will be reached Fig. 5. Cost per function decreases with (Fig. 4). As time goes on, the silicon chip in the early 1980s with 64 K -bit dynamic time. cost will decrease due to improving density, RAM chips selling for about $8 each in processing technology, and material. This volume. These costs are possible because higherperformance 16 -bit CPUs will result in the optimum cost per function NMOS RA Ms are the dominant memory (Motorola 68000, Zilog Z8000, Intel 8086, decreasing with time as shown in Fig. 5. chips used in computer systems giving rise From Table I and Figs. 4 and 5, it is TI 9900, etc.) whose capability approaches to extremely large volume production with that of mid -1970s minicomputers, and apparent that, as time progresses, more the attendant learning curve benefits. For whose chip costs may range from tens to and more of the system will fit on a single example, Mostek Corporation, which con- hundreds of dollars. These latter devices , and the cost per com- trols about 30% of theI6K NMOS are relatively new to the market (8086 putationfunctionwill decreaseex- dynamic RAM market,is expected to sampled in1978, Z8000 and MC68000 ponentially. This will make possible dis- double production to about 30 million sampled in late 1979), and hence their costs tributed intelligence in the broadest sense, units in 1980 -a very large volume indeed. will tumble as we move down the learning where every sub -system will have local Density improvements in NMOS RAMs curve. processing capability and the ability, where are yielding average areas under 0.50 mils2 8 needed, to interact with other intelligent (1mil = 0.001in.) per transistor (e.g., Figure presents a rough view of sub -systems or systems. National NCM 4164 64K -bit RAM chip processor performance ranges vs computer has an area of 3400 mils2). category. Note that the dollar figures shown represent mature product, i.e., those Microprocessor impact on in volume production. Note also that even though many 8 -bit µPs cost less than 8 -bit LSI/VLSI technology Categorizing /Xs, the latter have on -boardRAM, ROM The rapidly increasing use of LSI andmicroprocessors and and I/O,which usually results in far lower VLSI in non -memory applications would microcomputers system cost. not have occurred if the microprocessor Microprocessors and µCs exist in a wide had not come to the rescue. Figure 6In categorizing µPs and µCs, discussion variety of technologies. p -channel MOS illustrates this phenomenon. Prior to the will be restricted to MOS devices. Bipolar (PMOS) is fading as a viable technology. re- invention of the microprocessor, ever more devices, to date, have been extensively used channel MOS is the dominant technology complex ICs were developed to perform only in specialized applications requiring and is the standard for all existing 16 -bit ever more specialized applications. Hence, high throughput. The bulk of bipolar µPs machines. In the 4- and 8 -bit categories, except for a few large volume market(there are no bipolar µCs) are of the bit - CMOS parts are available for low power segments (e.g., data communications), IC slicevariety requiring multi -chip CPU applications (RCA 1802, CMOS TMS volume decreased rapidly with complexity. implementations(theFairchild9440) 1000,etc.),at nominal cost premiums Withtheinventionofthemicro- which emulates the Data General NOVA along with bipolar devices (Fairchild 9440, processor, it became economically viable instruction set is a noteworthy exception). etc.) for high performance. Silicon -on - Finally, 4 -bit µPs will not be discussed (4 - sapphire (SOS) parts are not yet com- bit µCs will be discussed), since they are mercially available. obsolete and their days are numbered - in fact, Intel Corporation is no longer taking TOTAL COST orders for its 4040 family of 4 -bit µPs. Microcomputers range from relatively OPTIMUM SILICON CHIP COST COMPLEXITY simple 4 -bit devices (Texas Instruments CUSTOM LSI STANDARD LSI TMS 1000 series, National COPS 400 SALES (j P's, RAM, ROM series, etc.) with volume costs in the $ l-3 VOLUME PERiPitERALS1 ASSEMBLY AND TEST COST range, to more powerful 8 -bit devices CUSTOM (Mostek 3870 series, Intel 8048 series, etc.) t LSh with volume costs in the $3-10 range. NUMBERS OF FUNCTIONS CIRCUIT NI Microprocessors, on the other hand, 1971 P INTRODUCTION) Fig. 4. LSI cost contributing factors show- vary from mid -range machines (Intel 8085, FUNCTIONS PER CHIP ing optimum complexity for lowest cost per RCA 1802, , etc.) with volume Fig.6. Customvs.standardLSIsales function. CPU costs in the $2-10 range, through volumevs. chip complexity.

Russo: The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution '16 BI7 kl-Ws (67-1001t

I 1 i 100 MOTOROLA 941 IP/7.11-°°808628000 8 Bi7FP's ( 6 I FAIRCRILD/-A--N 2 BO INTEL RCA INTEL 8088 F-8 1802 BOBO Blip -Cs (q3-101'

1 t t I MOSIER INTEL MOTOROLA 3870 8048 6801 01 [4t-81TP-C'st (61-

NaIL,30 INTEL TI LUPS 400 0 01 4040 TMSI000 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 19781979 1980 1981 1902 1983 PERFORMANCE YEAR

OYNAmiC NMOS RAM PRICE (CHIP LE VEL ALL COSTS ASSUME MATURE PRODUCT Fig. 7. Evolution in the chip level price per bit of NMOS RAM. Fig. 8. Categorizing µPs and µCs .

The unquestionable technological leader Projecting trends 10 presents, roughly, how unit sales for 4 - in the microprocessor industry has been bit µCs, 8 -bit µPs and µCs, and 16 -bit µPs Intel Corporation. Figure 9 illustrates the Major microprocessor and microcomputer are expected to grow.9-12 evolution of its µ13 and µC families. Note application areas will be discussed in the The numbers for 8- and 16 -bit devices the rapid improvements in technology following section. Here, we will attempt to are similar to the ones generated in a recent (average transistor area) which went from summarize business trends and to project Creative Strategies report." Figure10, 8.6 milt/ transistor for the 8008 in 1972 to them a few years into the future. Before however, projects larger unit sales for 4 -bit 1.8 milt/ transistor for the 8086 in 1978. doing so, it is noteworthy to point out that devices than does Creative Strategies (19.5 RCA's only commercially available ALP, the most published sales figures and forecasts million units in 1983). It should be noted, 1802, is included for completion, along relateto non -captive markets. Captive however,thattheCreativeStrategies with the soon -to -be -sampled SOS 1804 markets (such as TI, IBM, DEC and ATT numbers are not consistent with current µC. The average transistor area for the production for internal use) account for a industry production trends. Texas In- RCA 1804 is slightly lower than that of the significant fraction (close to 50%) of world struments,intheir sales presentations, Intel 8086. This is probably due to the 1804 production. claims that it has a capacity to produce containing a significant amount of on -chip The market for microprocessors will "several million" TMS 1000 machines per memory (2 K bytes ROM, 64 bytes RAM), have a compound growth rate of about month.Additionally,thereal volume whose regular structures yield higher pack- 25% through the early 1980s, approaching applications for 4 -bit devices are in the ing densities.Photomicrographs of the an annual volume of 200 million units by consumer area, and this area is just begin- Intel 8086 and of the RCA 1804 are 1983, with a market value approaching 500 ning to explode. The trend in this area will presented on page 4. million dollars. When one adds sales of be to pull more system capability onto the supporting ICs such as peripherals, RAMs, 4 -bit chip to lower system cost rather than ROMs, and EPROMs, the market swells to go for unneeded computing power to about 1.5 billion dollars per year. Figure represented by 8 -bit architectures. The microprocessor industry (54,500) The AP has changed the early trends of LSI (51,0001 _ development and has reoriented those ef- 50,000 25 0 forts to the design of CPUs, memories, and 74 (42.000) ao45,000 ever more complex peripheral ICs which (40.000=1 40,000 permit the rapid development of low chip 0 136,400) o count dedicated computer systems. As the 35.000 "7. 0 industry matures, it is rapidly moving away 30,000 1(32,0 0,000 from merely making ICs towards a full - (7) =1 (29.000)11 71 .1 25,000 II8) 25,000 'erj 0 system -capability industry.Intel,the (21,500) 20,000 20,000 a leader in IC technology, is also the leader in 0 (16,500) the development of support circuits, single 15,000 (17000) 15,000 ° board computer systems, and development I 0 10,000 10.000 systems. More recently, Intel has begun to 0 which 5,000 (5.400)(6,500) 5,000 market preprogrammed devices (4,500) satisfy desired system level functions. The 0 0 1971 1972 1973 19741975 1976 1977 19781979 manufacturing cost of these devices is the AF OF INTRODUCTION same as that of unprogrammed devices, but, since there is added value in the eyes of Fig. 9. INTEL and RCA microprocessor and microcomputers. (Products showing chip area the customer, margins can be improved. and complexity evolution.I=Idenotes average transistor area in mil' (0/0).

8 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Support items count in the cost 90 more complete testing of low-cost/low- complexity subsystems right on down to Key ingredients in the success of a micro- 80 the component level. processor manufacturer in addition to 70 price and delivery, are system development Reference 16 describes a very successful support and the availability of support 0 4 BIT µCs application of RCA's COSMAC micro- 5° 8 BIT P's B uC's - processor to 100% testing of populated TV chipsandofsingleboard computer to LA( 40 convergence boards (Fig. families. The microprocessor itself usually 11). Another N 30 exampleis represents a small fraction of the system an RCA -developed 16 BIT µ Pt potentiometer tester." Further examples LSI cost, usually less than I% for industrial 720 /". of µP testing applications are presented in and commercial applications and perhaps 10 this issue. Many other examples can be 0 5-25% for consumer products (note that for 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 found in the Proceedings of the IEC1 '79.18 µCs, the CPU portion usually takes up YEAR Process Control and Data Acqui- much less than half the IC area). Because of Fig. 10. Forecast of annual unit 11P and 1J.0 sition.The process control and data ac- the above, microprocessor applications are sales through 1983. quisition areas differ from testing in that rarelydesigned to maximize CPU utiliza- they must operate in real time:9-2' This tion but rather to minimize system cost overview industrial, commercial, and con- implies that the microcomputer must have (development and production). Thus the sumer applications of microprocessors, time responses rapid enough to accom- ease with which one can develop a system and provide references to permit the in- modate the process control or data acquisi- (development support) and the availability terested reader to pursue the subjects in tion system under consideration. Whether of peripheral ICs (low system chip count) depth. One measure of the extent of the we are talking about controlling a power usuallydominatethe CPU selection ongoing microprocessor application process.' generation system or a complex chemical revolution is the February 1978 issue of the plant, the system must sample critical IEEE Proceedings,which was dedicated to systemoutputs and generatesuitable that very subject. This special issue of the system inputs often enough to achieve the Applications overview RCA Engineerthat you are reading gives desired level of control. I he µ1) revolution has truly become an further testimony to this rapidly evolving The advent of low cost µPs means that technology. applications revolution. By the year 2000, 5 dedicated, intelligent subsystems are now to10 billion µPs and µCs will be in viable. For example, a µP system can be service - about one for each living person dedicated to data acquisition alone. A on earth. In the Industrial applications dedicatedmicroprocessor can perform person interacting with the µP or µC will statistical analysis on the job, format data Microprocessors are having a major im- for more efficient off-line processing, and not know that a computer is involved. One pact on industrial applications, including perform periodic self -checking and auto - willsimply have improved serviceor the areas of testing, control, instrumenta- calibration. However, its main advantage functionality for the task at hand. tion, data acquisition, numerical machine may, in fact, be the flexibility resulting The applications of µPs and µCs break control, and even robotics. In all these from distributed software control. Simple downintothreebroadcategories - areas,equipmentofferingexpanded industrial, commercial, and consumer. software changes can alter the sampling functions, better human interfaces, im- rate, specify new data formats, or alter the Industrial applications are those that proved reliability, and lower cost are self -checking algorithms. This results in employ microprocessors in the design or emerging. better human engineered outputs, manufacturing processes of the industry Testing. Automatic Test Systems modularity in hardware (improved under consideration. These include process(ATS), which can be used to automatically control,testing,dataacquisition, maintenance)andslower systemob- identify component, subsystem and system solescence. numerical control, instrumentation, and faults, are becoming increasingly impor- Beforethe useofµPsbecame robotics. tant from the view of reliability and main- Commercial applications are those used tainability.Reliability is improved with in providing new or improved services ATS since marginal components and sub- and/or ways of doing business. These systems are replaced prior to equipment include communications (data and shipment, resulting in a lower probability telephone), point -of -salesystems,in- of field failure. Ease of maintenance is also telligent cash registers and business uses improved sincesystem -leveltestscan (word processing, accounting, etc.). identify the probable subsystem failures, Consumer applications are those that and so give rapid repair turnaround and, eitheraddfeaturesorimprovethe hence, reduced downtime. cost/ performance of existing consumer ATS has historically been used in large products (ignition control in automobiles, military applications and in automatic timing control in microwave ovens, etc.), testing of complex parts, where expensive or those that give rise to entirely new test fixtures can be economically justified. classes of consumer products (personal The advent of microprocessors has opened computers, programmable video games. many avenuesforlow-cost dedicated etc.). Fig. 11. A COSMAC-based system for 100% testers which means that industries can testing of TV convergence boards (on-line The following threesectionsbriefIN now economically justify automatedand in Bloomington).

Russo: The microprocessor industry and the emerging appl cations revolution 9 Careful choice of system development support items is a must. The importance of quality system timeliness (they can usually support a devicefamily.Thislatterdevel- development aidscannot be new device soon after it is sampled), opment is what spurs the general overemphasized for any AP or RC to and lower cost. The key advantage of development system manufacturers be selected by a significant fraction of the more universal systems is that one to investin support of a specific users. On the software side, editors, capital investment permits the device family. In fact, the order in filemanagementsystems, development of productsusing which a company like Tektronix will assemblers and high level language differentmicroprocessorfamilies. develop support systems for µP/µC translators are essential. These may For example, the Tektronix 8002 families is closely correlated to their be time-sharing based or resident in a system supports the Intel 8080/8085, popularity(e.g.,support onthe stand-alonedevelopmentsystem the TI 9900, the Motorola 6800, the Tektronix 8002 for the INTEL 8080 (e.g., COSMAC CDS, or Intel MDS). Zilog Z80, and the RCA 1802. was available in 1977 whereas sup- On the hardwareside,In -Circuit One may be tempted to conclude portforthe RCA 1802 became Emulators (ICE pioneered by Intel), from the above that µP/µC vendors available in October, 1979.) are necessary for efficient system may be able to relegate the deve op- Investments required to support µP debugging'',along withstandard ment of support systems :o com- and µC lines are a strong function of facilitiessuchasmass memory panies such as Tektronix or Hewlett- thedevicesophistication(shown (usually floppy disc), hard copy out- Packard. That conclusion, however, above). It takes a few hundred thou- put, terminal input, EPROM burning is a fallacy. Good development sup- sand dollars to develop a custom IC. facility, and standard I/O ports (e.g., port by the µP/µC vendor will en- A few million are enough to support a IEEE 488 or RS -232). courage theproliferationofthat µC family. For general purpose µPs, Each manufacturer of µPs or µCs provides the user with a variety of hardware and software development $20 M FOR aids. Additionally, several indepen- INTEL 8086 dent companies are marketing rr general purposedevelopment 4$100 M systems (Tektronix, Futuredata, 0 Hewlett-Packard). In these systems, $IOM 0 the user need only plug-in the ap- U propriate characterization module, tal $ M and insert the appropriate software 2 0o. diskette to create an environment _J customized to the µP/µC at hand. t $100K IJJ

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 DEVELOPMENT TIME RANGE (MONTHS) Support systems options ( FOR CPU, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE SUPPORT AND PERIPHERAL IC'S) Advantages of using the vendor's own development systems are their Investment required as a function of IC type and complexity.

widespread, mini or large computers werelower cabling costs, reduced noise pickup, averaging, etc.)to auto -calibration, in- the hearts of complex controllers. Because improved overall reliability (if one small struments will never be the same again. ofthiscentralization,controllers were system fails, the remainder keep A majorfactorintheincreasing economically practical only for large and operating), simpler maintenance, and more sophisticationandflexibilityofin- complex systems. Furthermore, these early flexibility. struments has been the development of the systems had all the attendant disadvan- An example of a AP -based process IEEE Standard 488 Instrumentation Bus tages of centralized control - large cabling control system is a prototype wafer silicing pioneered by Hewlett-Packard. The IEEE costs, decreased reliability, and less flex- machine developed at RCA Laboratories. 488 Interface Bus provides a versatile ibility. Smaller systems were designed with Keeping the cutting force constant. via AP effective communicationlink`7'2for ex- relay logic, sequencers, or, perhaps, analog control, resulted in fewer wafers being changing digital information in an un- feedback control. damaged.'2 Numerous other examples are ambiguous manner. It can accommodate a Through the use of low-cost micro- presented in reference 18. widerangeofdeviceswithsimilar processors, it became possible to decen- Instrumentation and IEEE Standard protocols andisbeing proposed as an tralize the control function and use in- 488. The impact microprocessors are hav- international standard. The number of telligent controllers dedicated to specific ing on instrumentation is just beginning to instruments supporting the bus grows tasks. Many advantages result from local - befelt."' 26From simply adding new almost daily, and currently exceeds 300. loop and distributed control, including features to instruments (digital read outs, Other more specialized industrial

10 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 ing to intelligent supermarket weighing example, the store clerk need only type in devices). "price per pound" or "price per quarter- The most significant emerging trend in pound,' and the price will be computed this number is much larger. Intel has communications is theswitchfrom automatically and displayed. A multi- already spent about $20 million on the predominantly analog (voice) traffic to a microcomputer energy management Intel 8086 support. These large in- more balanced mix between voice and system is described in this issue. Other vestments merely reflect the levels of data. By 1985, communications traffic will examples include taxi meters, automated support needed by customers to be evenly divided between voice and data. gasoline dispensing pumps, and traffic effectively use these new parts. In- This will most certainly spur the develop- controllers. In the latter, µPs combined creasingly, the level of support and ment of all -digital terestrial channels. This, with sensors, can adaptively vary light service available is given high priority in turn, will greatly accelerate the use of sequences to maximize traffic throughput, in selecting a µP or p.0 vendor. distributed intelligence within the network. while minimizing waiting time forin- Intelligentmultiplexers,concentrators, dividual drivers. PA BXs, modems, etc., incorporating the The single ubiquitous uP, will emerge. More and more,computerswilltakeoverthe Consumer applications board computer traditional role of operators. As all -digital networks emerge, therewillbe an in- Microprocessorsand Besides system development aids, associated LSI creasing need for efficient techniques for technology are having a major impact on the availability of single board com- transmittingvoicein digitalform. consumer products. From simply adding puter (SBC) families significantly in- References 32-36 discuss a variety of µP new features to standard products to mak- fluences processor selection. For low applications to communications. ing possible entirely volume applications, development new product Microprocessors are being increasingly categories, the consumer computer revolu- costs greatly exceed hardware costs used in medical applications. Because of tion is just beginning. andhence the emphasisison the technical and legal complexities of Microcomputer controls. Low-cost µCs minimizingdesigntime. The using new technologiesindiagnosing, are already changing a host of consumer availability of a standard rack with monitoring or treating humans, µPs today products.Fromexerciseandcoffee power supply, standard CPU and are being widely used on an experimental memory boards, and standard I/O machines to electric ranges, from sewing basis. Their routine use is at the embryonic machines to microwave ovens, from white boards (A/D, D/A, IEEE 488 bus, etc.) stageofdevelopment.Reference 37 goods to home security systems, a whole greatlyreduces systemdesign, overviews the entire subject and contains a new generation of intelligent consumer testing, maintenance, and documen- bibliography of 129 papers. products is emerging. Mosthome tationcosts.Examplesofsuch Wora processing and intelligent appliances typically need only relatively families include the Intel SBC 80 line terminals are emerging as major users of and the newer RCA Microboard fami- simple controls. For that reason 4 -bit µP technology. Forexample, ap- devices, with their low costs, are being ly. For manufacturers such as Intel proximately 13 million Americans have a shipped by the millions. In fact, it can be systemlevelsales(including hearing or speech defect. This represents a said thatthe 1979-1980timeframe development systems and SBC parts) major potential market for a portable represents the transition period during represent a significant and increasing telephone terminal. Except for the lowest which it is becoming cheaper to implement portion of their revenue base. end "dumb" terminal, most terminals sport timing functions with a 4 -bit AC than with some ALP control. Many typewriters and traditional methods. This will result in the other word processing machines employ across-the-board use of these devices in AP control - not only to add capability appliance control rather than only in the but also for internal use to reduce cost. higherfeature -orientedmodels!'The One interesting example is the intelligent RCA Programmable TV, described in this typewriter from the Qyx Division of Exxon issue,is an excellent example of how a µC applications of microprocessors abound. Enterprises, Inc., introduced in 1978.It can add value to a big ticket consumer From energy -subsystem control, to motor- contains three µPs, a Zilot Z80 for word product. The products discussed above speed control, to numerical -machine con- processing and master control, and a pair were predominantly examples where elec- trol, to robotics, all are increasingly apply- of Fairchild F8s for drive motor control of tronics have replaced mechanical controls ing µPstb obtain new levels of perfor- the carriage and the rotary print head. It in consumerapplications.Morein- mahce at economically viable cost levels. offers ultra -accurate print head positioning teresting, however, are the host of new References 29-31, along with the to permit automatic erase backspace. In consumer products spawned by the ongo- Proceedings of the IECI '79,1' contain a addition, it incorporates intelligent ing revolution in LSI. wealth of information on these subjects. features such as the ability to store and Microcomputer -based games. Non - recall stock phrases, to center a line of type, video microcomputer -based games are just and to automatically line up decimal points beginning to appear, but already most of Commercial applications in columns of numbers. All this capability the major toy manufacturers are getting costs under $1700. heavily :nvolved!"° Judging from the Commercial applications of µPs include Other commercial applications of µPs success of' action games such as Parker their uses in communications (telephony includetheiruseinsecuritysystems, Brothers' "Code Name: Sector," a one and data), in medical applications and in environmental control systems, and in- player submarine chase game, Milton business applications (from word process- telligent weighing devices. In the latter, for Bradley's "Battleship," a missile -firing two-

Russo: The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution 11 player naval warfare game, and more Viewdata and Teletext offer intriguing be used by the millions. Each year, the cerebral games such asMattel,Inc.'s potential.References 45-48 discuss the complexity of ICs doubles and the cost per "Football" - toys will never be the same ongoing revolution in personal computing functionfallsby about 25%. Thisis again. A more complex example is the and television -related data information resulting in powerful computing elements Chess Challenger from Fidelity Electronics systems. Reference 15 is an entire issue of costing but a few dollars. These costs are (Fig. 12). The Texas Instruments' "Speak the IEEE Transactions on Consumer coming into the area required to impact and Spell," which contains voice synthesis Electronics dedicated to consumer text volume consumer products - and the ex- circuitry, is currently being shipped at a display systems. isting consumer applications are but the tip rate of about 60 K per month. The latter The intelligent (programmable) ther- of the applications iceberg. two products would not have been possible mostat is also emerging as a major con- EntireLSI/ VLSI systemsonone without ALP technology. sumer product. Selling in the $100-200 chip. As LSI/ VLSI technology continues The revolution began in the range to a market of 70 million U.S. homes, to evolve, µPs and µCs will evolve in two early 1970s on two fronts. Atari pioneered annual volumes of 3-5 million units will be directions. At the low end, ICs will be the development of video arcade games reached in a few years. This is but one of designed with standard cells representing with the 1972 introduction of "Pong." That many examples of products that were not entire sub -systems (e.g., RAM, ROM, same year,Magnavoxintroduced economically feasible prior to the inven- CPU, A/ D, Di A, etc.). Entire systems, "Odyssey," a consumer ball -and -paddle tion of the microprocessor. including analog interfaces, will be put on game based on circuitrypatented by Other consumer applications of µPs are the same chip to reduce system cost. At the Sanders Associates. under development, e.g.,simple home high end, ever more powerful CPUs, More recently, the consumer market has controlsystems, electroniccalendar/ peripheral ICs and co -processors along begun to evolve away from dedicated reminders, and wireless security systems, with ever larger and faster memories will games and towards microprocessor -based although it is not yet clear which of these yield exponentially increasing computing programmable games. Examples include developmentswillevolveintoviable power with but a handfull of chips. The the Atari VCS and the recently announced volume markets. Reference 44 presents an INTEL 8089 co -processoris one such Mattel Intelvision. overview of the impact microprocessors example.Itisbuiltwith HMOS II Personalized microprocessors for auto are having on the consumer market. technology which is 30% faster and 10% and home. Automotive applications of denser than the HMOS technology used in µPs will have a major impact on the car of the 8086 CPU. pluslowercost. the future. From "under -the -hood" Conclusion Portability functions such as engine control (spark Increasingly, especially in µC -based con- timing, fuel metering, etc.) and braking to The computer and LSI/ VLSI revolutions sumer applications, low power dissipation "dashboard" functions (e.g., digital display are moving ahead hand in hand, and are andproductportabilitywillbecome of MPG), new levels of performance, becoming an integral part of our society. realistic design goals. The potent mix of economy, and information display will be The computer industry, born only 32 years liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with CMOS achieved.'" -43 ago,has passed $50 billion/ year in sales circuitry will yield an array of portable Another area of major current interest is and is streakingtowardsthe$100 game, computer and otherintelligent that of the . There are two billion/ year mark. IBM received orders for products. No longer will you have to leave divergent paths in this development. One is over 32,000 System/ 38s, small business your computer chess game behind when towards the more specialized "hobby" systems which range in price from $100,000 you board the train or hit the beach! market (e.g., RCA VIP), and the other is to $600,000 during the first year following Though CMOS technology trails NMOS towards the "programmer" market (e.g., product announcement.By 1983,the in density by about two years, the price Radio Shack TRS-80). The true consumer minicomputer business will grow to an differentialforequivalentpartswill computer product is yet to be announced annual volume of over 500,000 units per decrease to small levels as we move down although Atari (models 400 and 800) and year. Marketing Development, Concord, the learning curve. For this reason, the TI 9914 are steps in the right direction. The Mass., predicts that the market for com- current exploding usage of 4 -bit NMOS consumer computer area is of major in- puters under $2,000 will grow from $442 µCs will be duplicated by CMOS devices in terest to both computer- and consumer - million in 1979 to $1.5 billion by 1984. All the next few years. Furthermore, since the orientedcorporations. Related of the above attests to the fact that com- bulk of true volume applications does not developments in home data services such as puter technology has become inextricably need 8 -bit CPU throughput, the trend will entwined both in our lives and in the world evolve towards pulling more and more I/O economy. Reference 49 documents the onto the chip resulting in lower system pervasiveness of the computer and presents cost. a comprehensive bibliography of its im- From microprocessor -based automobile pacts. ignition systems to intelligent thermostats, Lower costswillimpact consumer from hand-held computer games to con- products. The semiconductor business, sumer computers, from programmable which is growing 15-20% annually, will TVs and VCRs to microwave oven con- reach $6 billion in sales by 1979. Explosive trollers, we are witnessing the beginning of developments in digital LSI and VLSI are a consumer applications revolution. With the fuel of the computer revolution. These over 150 µPs and µCs to choose from, the developments led to the µP and the begin- real challenge is in the development of new products and uses that fully exploit the Fig.12. Chess challenger from Fidelity ning of the second computer revolution Electronics. where distributed intelligence systems will potential of LSI and VLSI technology.

12 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 References 23. Randle. W.C., and Keith, N., "Microprocessors in 46. Doerr, J., "Low -Cost Microcomputing: The Per- Instrumentation." IEEE Proceedings. special issue sonal Computer andSingle -Board Computer on microprocessor applications (Feb., 1978). Revolutions," IEEE Proceedings (Feb.. 1978). I. %on Neumann, J., "First Draft of a Report on the 24. Wu. C.T., "CVM -A Microprocessor -Based In- 47. McKee, K.M., "Data Television -A Bright Star EDVAC." University of Pennsylvania. telligent Instrument," RCA Engineer, special issue ontheColor TVHorizon. RCA Engineer Philadelphia (June. 1964). on microprocessortechnology(Feb., March, (April, May. 1979). 2. "Here Comes the Second Computer Revolution," 1977). 48. Lipoff, S.J., "Mass Market Potential for Home Fortune (Nov., 1975). 25. Oliver. B.M.. "The Role of Microelectronics in Terminals," IEEE Chicago Fall Conference on 3. "The Computer Society," TIME (Feb., 20. 1978). Instrumentation and Control," Scientific American Consumer Electronics (Nov. 6-7, 1978). 4. Russo, P.M., "Architectural Trade -Offs in Design- (Sept.. 1977). 49. Russo, P.M. and Wang, C.C.. "The Pervasive ingMicrocomputer Systems," RCA Engineer 26. "Instruments 79,"SpecialReport.Electronic Computer," RCA Engineer (April, May. 1978). (Feb., March. 1977). Design (Nov. 22, 1978). 5. Peatman,J.B..Microcomputer -BasedDesign. 27. Loughry, D.C., and Allen. M.S., "IEEE Standard McGraw-Hill, New York (1977). 488 MicroprocessorSynergism." IEEE 6. Russo. P.M., "Interprocessor Communication for Proceedings,specialissueonmicroprocessor Multi -Microcomputer Systems." IEEE Computer. applications (Feb., 1978). pp. 67-75 (April. 1977). 28. "IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Program- 7. Noyce. R.D.. "From Relays to MPUs, IEEE mable Instrumentation." IEEE, IEEE Std. 488. Computer, pp. 22-29 (Dec.. 1976). (1975). 8. Moore, G "VLSI: SomeFundamental 29. Sohrabji, N., "Microprocessors Extend Scope of Challenges." IEEE Spectrum (April. 1979). AutomatedManufacturing." EDN (March 5. 9. Electronics. p. 90 (May 10. 1979). 1978). 30. Doi, Y.. "Robots Get Smarter and More Versatile," 10. "U.S. Markets Forecast 1978." Electronics, p. 134 IEEE Spectrum (Sept.. 1977). (Jan. 5, 1978). 31. Goksel, K. and Parrish, E.A.. Jr., "The Role of II. "The Microprocessor Industry," Creative Microcomputers in Robotics," Computer Design Strategies International (May, 1979). (Oct.. 1975). 12. "U.S. Markets Forecast 1979," Electronics. p. 114 32. Lippman. M.D.,"Microprocessors in Data (Jan. 4, 1979). Communications." RCA Engineer, special issue on 13. "Peripheral Chips Shift Microprocessor Systems microprocessor technology (Feb., March. 1977). into High Gear," Electronics, pp. 93-106 (Aug. 16. 33. Stanzione, D.C.. "Microprocessors in Telecom- 1979). munications Systems." IEEE Proceedings, special 14. Kelley, J.M.. "Cut Hardware, Software Develop- issue on microprocessor applications (Feb., 1978). mentCosts -Take Advantage ofIn -Circuit 34. Gundlach. R.. "Large -Scale Integration is Ready to Emulators," Electronic Design. pp. 66-71 (Aug. 16. Answer the Call ofTelecommunications." 1979). Electronics (April. 1977). IS. "Consumer Text Display Systems," Special Issue 35. Melvin. D.K., "Microcomputer Applications in on, IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics Telephony." IEEE Proceedings, special issue on (July, 1979). microprocessor applications (Feb.. 1978). Paul M. Russo is Head of Microsystems 16. Marcantonio, A.R.. "Microprocessor -Based 36. Mayo, J.S., "The Role of Microelectronics in Research, RCA Laboratories. During the Tester," Proceedings of IECI Communication"ScientificAmerican(Sept.. 1969-70 academic year he was on the faculty '78, Philadelphia, Pa. (March 20-22. 1978). 1977). at Berkeley, California, where he developed 17. Marcantonio, A.R., "Microcomputer -Controlled 37. Klig. V.,"BiomedicalApplicationsof and taught courses in circuit theory and Potentiometer Test System," Proceedings of IECI Microprocessors," IEEE Proceedings, special issue computer -aided -design.He joined RCA 79, Philadelphia, Pa.. pp 308-311 (March 19-21. on microprocessor applications (Feb., 1978). 1979). Laboratories in 1970 as a member of the 38. Walker. G.M.. "LSI Controls Gaining in Home technical staff, was appointed Head, TV 18. Proceedings of IECI 79. the IEEE Industrial Appliances," Electronics (April 14, 19771. Electronics and Control Instrumentation Society's Microsystems Research in 1977. He has Annual Conference on Industrial and Control 39. Rosenblatt. A., "Electronic Games No Longer been involved with microprocessors since Applications of Microprocessors, Philadelphia. Need TV." Electronics (Aug., 18. 1977). their inception, and has contributed to the Pa. (March 19-21, 1979). 40. Mennie, D., "Self -Contained Electronic Games." early efforts that ledto the RCA 1802 19. Wang, C.C., Wu, C.T., Russo, P.M.. Abramovich. IEEE Spectrum (Dec., 1977). product and to the use of microprocessors A.. and Marcantonio, A.R., "Microprocessors in 41. Robbi A.D., and Tuska, J.W., "A Microcomputer - ina variety of current and future RCA Manufacturing and Control," RCA Engineer. ControlledSpark Advance System." RCA products and systems. Dr. Russo was a special issueon microprocessortechnology Engineer, special issue on microprocessor guest co-editor of the February, 1978 issue (Feb./ March, 1977). technology (Feb., March,. 1977). of the IEEE Proceedings special issue on 42. Lile. W.R., and Tuska, J.W., "Electronic Control 20. Wittke,.1., and Simpson. T. F., "Microcomputers in microprocessor applications, andisthe Picture Tube Manufacturing," RCA Engineer of Vehicle Brakes." RCA Engineer, special issue on (April/ May. 1978). microprocessor technology (Feb./ March, 1977). General Chairman, of IECI '80, an annual conference on industrial, control and in- 21. Abramovich. A.. "An Interpolating Algorithm for 43. Marley.J.."Evolving Microprocessors Which strumentation applications ofmini and Control Applications on Microprocessors," Better Meet Needs of Automotive Electronics, Proceedings of IECI /8. Philadelphia, Pa (March IEEE Proceedings (Feb., 1978). microcomputers to be held in Philadelphia, 20-22, 1978). 44. Russo,P.M., Wang, C.C.,Battler,P.K. and Pa., March 17-20, 1980. 22. Van Le. D.. Demers. R., Etzold. K.F.. and Firester. Weisbecker, J.A., "Microprocessors in Consumer Contact him at: A.H., "Wafer Slicing with Microprocessor -Based Products." IEEE Proceedings (Feb., 1978). RCA Laboratories Controller," Proceedings of IECI-19, Philadelphia. 45. Key, A.C., "Microelectronics and the Personal Princton. N.J. Pa. (March 19-21, 1979). Computer," Scientific American (Sept., 19771 Ext. 3234

Russo: The microprocessor industry and the emerging applications revolution 13 P.P. Fasang

A microcomputer glossary

Computer technology is creating a new language that not only incorporates new terms, but often redefines standard English. Words, such as address, bit and stack, assume extended meanings that relate to computer technology, while maintaining their original connotations. A few of the most common microcomputer terms are defined for the layman and, as a refresher, for the engineer.

access time: the time between a re- assembler: a program which translates Theinstructionsetiscustomer quest for information from a storage application programswritten in defined (by a micro -code). symbolic language medium and the time the information English -like buffer: a register for holding temporary (assembly language) into machine is available. data. language (binary). accumulator: register(s) which contain bus: a set of conductors which carries results of the arithmetic/logic unit assembly listing: a listing which shows all necessary computer signals, such operations. the assembly -language program and as data, address, and control signals. the translated machine -language address: a computer word used for byte: a computer word of 8 bits. designating a specificlocationin program. memory. ASCII: (American standard code for cell: a memory bit. A/D converter: (analog -to -digital con- information interchange) a 7 -bit code CMOS: (complementary metal oxide verter) an electronic device for chang- for representing the English alphabet, silicon)a verylow powerlogic ing a DC voltage to a binary-coded numbers, and special symbols, such technology. value. Computers cannot process a as $, , and 4- . continuous voltage waveform but can CPU: (central processing unit)the baud: a data transmission -rate init. For arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), registers, process binary value. most applications, a baud is equal to and control circuits of a computer. addressing mode:techniquesfor one bit per second. The CPU decodes instructions, issues specifying memory locations for the timing signals, and performs all con- BCD: (binary coded decimal) a coding purpose of storing and/or retrieving trol functions. representingtheten information. scheme for decimal numbers. cross assembler: an assembler for use ALU: (arithmetic/logic unit) the hard- in a computer with an instruction set binary number: a number whose digits ware portion of a computer which other than the one which the applica- are either zero or one. Computers can performs arithmetic functions, such tion program is written for. and "write"onlybinary as addition and subtraction and logic "read" numbers. functions such as shift, AND and OR. cycle time: the shortest period of time at the end of which a sequence of architecture: the logical organization bit: a binary digit. events repeats itself. Some of the of the hardware portion of the CPU. bit -slice microprocessor: an n -bit wide events may be retrieving a word from a processingelementusuallycon- memory cell, interpreting the mean- nectedinparallelto implement a ing of the word, and executing the Reprint RE -25-3-2 Final manuscript received Sept. 27. 1979. microcomputer of n -bit word length. instruction.

14 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 The microprocessor is the "brain" for the microcomputer.

A basic 'microprocessor contains an ALU wh ch performs arithmetic and Input Device RAM logicfunctions, an accumulator 0 (Keyboard. switches. etc ) which cc ntains the results of the ALU operations, a controlunitwhich generates timing and control signa s, a which holds the Output Device ROM/EPROM address of the next instruction to be (Lights, display. etc.) executed, and other registers. Although a very complex integrated circuit, by itself, the microprocessor Block diagram of a basic micr: processor is not useful. To realize its potentials, the m croprocessor must be system makes possible the rea ization progra n and generally this informa- augmented with other necessary sup- of the potentials of a microprocessor. tion is a program. One advantage of portcircuits. A microcomputer Inthebasicmicrocomputer storinginformation In a system, the -nicroprocessor serves as ROM/EPROM isthat unauthorized the "brain- cl the system, RAM allows peoplecannottamper snit-) the Program y Control counter informaticn to be stored as well as to progran. mMemoryr unit be retrieved ROM/EPROM allows in- Harc ware such as A/D converter, (Registers) Instruction formation tc be retrieved (read) only, D/A cc nverter, drivers, and cif er cir- register _1 Accumulator - - the input deice allows information to cuits ray also be needed in a real - be entered into the system, and the Status world application. These and other registe, outputdeviceallowsinformation l-ardware are incorporated into the ALU from the computer to be displayed or systerrdepending on the specific Etc. printed. application at hand. Because of their Informationstoredin the I Dw c.ts, microprocessors are ideal ROM/EPP OM is information that re- for dedicated systems which require A basic microcomputer system quires no alteration by the ccmputer -intelligence."

D/A converter: (d igital-to-analog con- program, making corrections assign- firmware: software that is stored in verter)a device which changes a ing line numbers to alllines, rese- random-access read-only memory. binary signal into a dc voltage level. quencing of line numbers, locating selected characters, and listingof handshaking: a predefined procedure decode: to translate or interpret a com- partial or entire program. forsendinginformationfrom a puter word into something familiar or terminal(sender)to a computer useful for performing tasks. EPROM: (erasable programmable read (receiver) or vice versa that informs only memory) a type of non-volatile the sender that the receiver is ready to display: a device which shows a letter random-access memory chip which receive. or a number or simply emits light; as a can be programmed in the field. miniature light bulb. hardware: computercircuits and execute cycle: the amount of time for peripneral devices. DMA: (direct memory assess) a techni- an instruction, that has been fetched, que for receiving information from or to be executed. hexacecimal: a number with a digit transferring information to the main value ranging from 0 to 15. The 16 hexadecimal numbers are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, memory ofa computingsystem fetch cycle: the amount of time for an without having the CPU involved. instruction or data to be retrieved 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F. from a memory location. drivers: circuits which increase the high-lEvel language: a computer driving capability of an output circuit. flag: a bit in a register which is used to languagesuchas FORTRAN or keep tract of the state of an input/out- BASIC which resembles English. One encoder: a device for translating a one - put device. the state of a register, or high-evellanguageinstructionis bit signal into a multibit signal. the state of the microprocessor. For translated by a compiler or interpreter example, a flag can be used to keep program into.several machine - editor: a computer program which aids tractof the state of the interrupt language instructions. a programmer in his source program feature by setting the flag to 0 for an creation. An editor helps to perform The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance uninterrupted state and to 1 to denote of K.R. Wurtzel who read the manuscript and made the followingfunctions: typingin an interrupted state. many valuable contributions.

P.P. Fasang: A microcomputer glossary 15 IC: (integrated circuit) very small elec- pre -definedmeanings,and which resident assembler: an assembler that tronic circuits contained in a single represent instructionsinassembly runs in a system that executes the package which perform sophisticated language. object codes which are generated by functions. multiplexer: a circuit which performs that assembler. path selection function so that a com- sequential memory: memory in which interface: as a noun, a physical circuit information storage and retrieval is orsubsystemwhichallowstwo puter can "talk" to several external devices one at a time. done ina sequential manner. For different types of circuits or systems example, to read the contents of loca- to be connected together. As a verb, to object codes: the binary codes which tion 50, the computer must search perform the above -mentioned func- are obtained as a result of the transla- through locations 00 through 49.It tion. tion done by an assembler. cannot jump from location 00 to loca- : a register whose func- octal number: a number with a value tion 50. tion is to store a number which is used ranging from 0 to 7. software: computer programs which as a pointer to reference a parameter. are written using instructions, operand: the number which follows an operands, andlabelsinalogical instruction:themachine language instruction. Example: LDA 5. LOA is a fashion to accomplish the required words in a computer program that tell mnemonic which represents an in- the computer what to do. struction that tells the computer to task. I/O device: (input/output device) an loadtheoperandintotheac- source code: the program as it appears input device or an output device. cumulator. The operand in this case is in high-level language or in assembly Examplesof inputdevices are 5. When this instruction is executed, language (as opposed to machine keyboards, sensors, and switches. Ex- the number 5 is loaded into die ac- language). cumulator. amples of output devices are displays, stack: storage and retrieval of informa- audio indicators, and X -Y plotters. page: a number ofconsecutive tion in a first -in -last -out fashion, i.e., interrupt: a request to the computer to memory locations, nominally 256. If the word that is stored first will be the service an external device. The exter- the memory of a computer has 4096 word which is read out last. The term nal device can get the attention and locations, the computer has 4096 alsoreferstoa collectionofse- theserviceofthecomputer by 256 = 16 pages of memory. quential memory cells which store and retrieve information in a first -in - sending an interrupt signal to the parity bit: a bit which is used to detect a last -out fashion. computer. The computer willfirst transmission error. finish the execution of the current stack pointer: a register whose con- pointer: an address which corresponds instruction and then it will service the tents correspond to the address of the to the beginning address of a program external device. top of the stack. or table. keyboard: portion of a terminal that is table-driven: a technique of branching PROM: (programmable read-only used to input information to the com- to different subroutines. The starting memory) a random-access type of puter. A terminal has two separate address of a subroutine is contained memory which can be programmed logical entities; one is the keyboard in a table and in order to branch to a which is used to input information to once only with a PROM programming subroutine, the computer must first the computer. The other is the printer machine. go to the appropriate location in the or display. RAM: (random access memory) table. LED: (light emitting diode) an elec- memory devices which can store and terminal: an input/output device retrieve information in any location in tronic device which sends out light through which a person can "talk" to a when it is turned on. an amount of time which is indepen- computer. dent of the memory location selected. micro -code: the logic -level definition tristate: a type of logic circuit whose ROM: (read only memory) memory of the instruction set of a bit -slice output can assume three states: a devices which allow only retrieval of microcomputer orsimilar typeof logical zero, a logical one, or a high Some microprocessors information. The information in the machine. impedance state.Inthe highim- ROM is stored during manufacture have a micro -coded architecture. pedance state, the operation of other before the ROM is put in operation. tri-statedevices connected to the microcomputer:a computer whose The computer can only read informa- same point is uneffected. CPU is a microprocessor. tionoutofthe memory device, microprocessor: a micro -electronic therefore, altering the information by word: a group of bits (the most com- chip which contains an ALU, the program is not possible. mon are 8, 16, 32, or 64, depending on registers,input/outputports,and the computer) which comprises a register: an electronic device for stor- single unit of information. controland timingcircuits.Itis ing information. In addition, a register capable of performing arithmetic and may perform other functions such as logical operations. PatFasang'sbiographicalsketchand shifting ofbits, selectively clearing photograph appear withhisarticle on mnemonic: the short -hand symbolic somebits,and selectivelysetting microprocessor education programs on names or abbreviations which have some bits. page 71.

16 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 B. Astlel M. LurielK. Schroeder

The "berry picking" approach to computer systems development

A successful development strategy for automating the TK-47 television camera.

Abstract:Development of computer complish this is the history of the conceptions. First, there is the belief that allthetaskswillactually follow the systems requires extensive interaction development of the RCA TK-47 among those involved, unlike picking predicted schedule. Maybe this misconcep- professional color TV camera. This pro- tion exists because of the tendency to berries. Berry picking can be accelerated in ject was expanded early in its development believe what we read.Certainlyitis proportion to added manpower, but to include automation of the camera set-up because we believe that all will go well, or computer systems development cannot .It adjustments, while retaining the original that tasks will only take as long as they is also difficult to expand the scope of a schedule. The strategy used to accomplish ought to project while maintaining the original time this expansion was to partition the take.' Anyone familiar with schedule. If these goals must be ac- automation feature into an autonomous Murphy's Law knows this is certainly not true. complished, then innovative strategies are processing element (microcomputer) and required . The strategy illustrated here is an to interface it to the existing design by A second common misconception is the example of how the bricklaying method means of a simple interface. belief that effort is equivalent to progress. worked in solving an automation problem. successfully met the time schedule, Although cost is usually proportional to The example which will be used to demonstrating its feasibility. effort, progress often is not. This is partial- demonstrate one useful technique to ac- ly due to the tremendous differences in individual productivity and to the level of success of the organization of the effort. The larger the work force the more critical Projectscanbedividedintoseveral tuning, computer systems development is a categories. A perfectly partitionable pro- complex set of interdependent software its orchestration. ject is one which can be partitioned into and hardware tasks requiring manpower to Another common misconception is the tasks requiring little or no communication perform the tasks, a plan to coordinate belief that people and months of effort are among the workers. Progress in such pro- them, and the tools to support their execu- interchangeable in achieving progress; e.g., jectsis essentially proportional to man- tion. The planning of such an effort canif one person can do a project insix power. Examples, given in reference I, are itself be a complex process. It involves the months, then six could do it in one month. reaping corn and picking cotton. At the enumeration of the system development This belief is not even approximately true other extreme is the unpartitionable pro- tasks,specifyingboththetimeand for software development where addition ject which takes a certain time no matter resources required to accomplish each of of manpower may not decrease the comple- how many people work at it. An example the tasks and their appropriate sequencing. tion time at all, as indicated by the middle of such a project is tuning a piano. It is not This plan often is represented on charts curve in Fig. I. likelythattwopianotunerscould such as a PERT chart that specifies the There are several reasons for the lack of cooperate effectively on one piano and magnitude and skills of the manpower finish in less time. In fact, the opposite is interchangeability of people and months in required and identifies the serial or parallel a computer systems development project. more probable.Most projectsfall relationship between the tasks. Perhaps the most important reason is the somewhere between these two extremes. extensive interaction required among the Some number of people can work together participants. The amount of communica- effectively, as shown by the minimum in the middle curve in Fig. I, but there is a Nonlinear effects of tion among them is almost proportional to level of manpower beyond which further the square of their number (N). More increased manpower in exp'icity, increases do not help. In fact, it is possible the number of interfacesis N( N- I )/ 2. that these additional people will serve only computer systems If each interface requires a to delay the completion of the project, as timetpermonthof eachof two indicated by the rising portion of the curve. The use of planning tools like a PERT Reprint RE -25-3-3 Unlike either berry picking or pianochart is prone to several common mis- Final manuscript received May 25. 1979.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 17 UNPARTITIONABLE "the berry picking approach," since its ment of the many controls that are needed TASK objectiveisto limit the required com- to produce a good color picture. 5 munication overhead, approximating that TASK REQUIRING EXTENSIVE activity's success at accelerating progress in 4 COMMUNICATION cn proportiontoaddedmanpower. To The TK-47 control functions PERFECTLY achievethisobjectiveusuallyrequires 0 PART ITIONABLE 2 2 The camera head contains three pickup TASK organization of the project so that the tubes upon which are focused the red, additional system functions can be isolated green and blue images. The video signals into autonomous subsystems reducing the O from the three tubes are processed and 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 communication overhead. PEOPLE combined to produce a composite color The berry picking approach can be used signal. In order that the final image, as FIg. 1. There Is a level of manpower, In a to shorten the development time normally system, beyond which further Increases do viewed on a monitor, resemble the original required for a system. It can also be used to not help. scene as closely as possible, it is necessary increase the scope of an ongoing systems that the three scanned images be accurate developmentwithoutsignificantlyim- in an absolute sense (no distortion). They pacting the completion schedule. In both participants, and each contributes a total should also correspond to one another as cases, more manpower will be required time T per month, then the effective work closely as possible at every point with thanwouldnormally be considered time per month is NT-N(N-1)t. This respect to their geometry and signal levels. reaches a maximum when N=(T+ t) I 2 t. optimal when using conventional tech- niques, but the berry picking technique Geometrical errors would produce At this point each worker is spending succeeds where conventional ones often spurious colors at the edges of objects and, almost half his time communicating. Of in extreme amounts, would give visible fail. course, this simple model, in which the distortion.Level errors would produce To use this technique, the system must be interface time is independent of the total color errors thatshiftas thelevel of structured in a top -down fashion where the number of workers, does not normally illumination changed. functionsthatare to be implemented apply, butitindicates the problems in- To minimize these errors and to produce autonomously are only loosely coupled to herent in some types ofproject highestquality videooutput, ap- the other functions within the system. the organizations. proximately 100 setup control functions Coupling is a measure of the strength of Another reason for the nonlinear effects are provided on the camera. These setup interconnection between the functions, or encountered when using increased man- functions control such things as the shape software modules, within the system.' If power onsuchprojectsis increased and size of the raster scans, and the levels two tasks within the system are loosely overhead due to: more people potentially and gains in different parts of the images. coupled, then one can design, implement leaving during thelifeof theproject, Many of the controls have nonlinear and debug one function without knowing bottlenecksinthe access to a limited effects, and many of them interact with very much about any other function within number of development tools, difficulty in each other. communication due to the size of project the system. Also, making a change to one function within such a system has little The TK-47 is digitally controlled. The meetings, general increases in management probability of requiring a change to any values of the control settings are stored overhead requirements, and delay due to digitally in the camera processor, which people already working on the project other. Loosely coupled tasks tend to have simple interfaces which contain little data can be physically remote from the camera having to train the newcomers. and almost no control information. This, head, but is connected to it via a cable as A consequence of the erroneous belief in indicated in Fig. 2. To change the values of however, is an ideal which cannot always the man -month equivalency myth is the the stored control settings, a setup control be attained. tendency to address either slippages in unit (SCU) is connected to the camera Thus,ourtechniquepartitionsthe schedule or increases in project scope by processor. The original version of this SCU system into loosely coupled pieces which adding manpower. This rarely works in had provision to alter any of the stored require little communication to implement. conventional project approaches. In fact, digitalcontrolvaluesmanually.The We distribute these pieces among a larger Brooks states that adding manpower to a automatic version was conceived to be workforce (maybe evenindifferent late software project makes it later.' It is basically a manual unit with an added locations) withoutencountering the clear that an unconventional method is option to make the setup process complete- potentially massive overhead predicted by required if additional manpower is to be ly automatic. effectively used to enhance or speed up Brooks.' development projects. This technique requires extra hardware, but has been made economical in many CAMERA CAMERA VIDEO LENS HEAD PROCESSOR OUT cases by the availability of inexpensive CABLE-1 The "berry picking" microcomputers.

approach, combining SET-UP CONTROL autonomy with interaction A case history UNIT (SCU) We would like to report a method by which Let us now examine a case history which (CONTAINS µC) one can avoid the communication dilemma illustrates the effectiveness of the berry and effectively add manpower to an ongo- picking approach. This is the development Fig.2. The camera processor can be ing systems development project. For want of the RCA TK-47 color TV camera with physically remote from the camera head, of a better name we shall call the method automatic setup,i.e., automatic adjust- but is connected to it via a cable.

18 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Manual control various points on the chart, or the horizon- CAMERA CAMERA LENS VIDEO talandverticalpositionsof various HE AD PROCESSOR OUT Inthemanualversion,thecontrolreference marks on the chart, or the functions are presented in groups of fromamplitude of thegratingpatternsto one to four to the user who must be an determine focus. This information is then SET-UP experienced camera technician. He can CONTROL processed by the microcomputer and the UNIT selectthe controlsheisadjusting by (SCU VIDEO various image errors calculated. These DETECTOR pressing buttons on the panel of the SCU. errors are then converted to the camera (CONTAINS C The microcomputer inside the unit thencontrol adjustments required to correct the configures the system accordingly anderrors and are transmitted to the camera displays the functions of the control knobs head. The process is repeated until the above eachactiveknob.Inaddition, image errors are minimized, and then the various helpful messages can be displayed. next function is tackled. The process con- CAMERA CAMERA The setup procedure consists of selecting LENS VIDEOuT tinues until all types of image errors have HE AD PROCESSOR . . a series of control functions and adjusting been minimized. Then control is returned them to optimize the image. Unfortunate- VIDEO to the operator. The SCU and automatic DETECTOR ly, some functions that are performed atunit may now be disconnected from the different times interact and so have to be SET- UP camera processor and the camera operated CONTROL repeated,oftenmanytimes.Other UNIT AUTOMATIC in its normal mode. ISCU) SET -UP UNIT functions interact directly, but the in- (CONTAINS AµCI (CONTAINS teractions are so complex that itis not MµC( obvious, even to the skilled technician, howSegregation of manual and auto- to attain the optimum setting of the con- Fog. 4. To segregate the automation system, matic controls an additional microcomputer and two inter- trol. For example, there are ten controls for faces with a communications link were each color which affect the registration of As you can tell from this necessarily brief added. the images: horizontal and vertical size,description, there is extensive interaction centering, skew, bow and linearity. It is not between the automation of thesetup problems associated with the development obvious how to adjust them to reduce an functions and the rest of the system. The ofthevideodetectorhardware and error in one corner. Thus, the manual setup automation functions must parallel the automation software couldbesolved procedure is quite costly since it requiresmanual ones. They must be designed in without affectingthe ongoing manual experienced personnel and is inherentlyconjunction with the detector hardware system development. time consuming. and must interface intimately The crucial point picking manual setup program. The methodology approach is to subdivide the project into of the adjustments must be closely linked to tasks so as to minimize coupling. The first Automatic control the camera design and should reflect, to stepinpartitioningthemanual and some degree,the expectations of ex- Theadvantagesof automatic operations into two loosely automatingthis perienced camera technicians. procedure are to save time, to increase the coupled subsystems was to separate those When the automation project was begun functions that were logically and physically uniformity of the setup from day to dayin earnest, the manual setup system was and from camera to camera, to increase its related to the camera itself from those that still being developed. To have added man- accuracy, and to reduce the requirement were solely for automation. The manual power totheprojecttodevelop for skilled personnel. the microcomputer (MAC) became the con- automatic system, in a conventional way, troller for communication between the The automation can be accomplished by would have delayed the completion until cameraandtheautomationmicro- adding a video detector to the system as long afteritsscheduled date,for the computer (AAC). The automation indicated in Fig. 3. This video detector is reasons previously stated. Furthermore, functions for the MAC were placed in a under the control of the SCU and measures additional manpower was available only at separate module of its program, reached differentimageparameters when the a different location. only when the camera is in its automatic camera is optically focused on a special The solution to the problem of develop- mode to minimize coupling to the existing chart, or alternatively on an illuminated ing the automation function without delay- manual system. The AMC and the video test slide within the lens. The SCU uses ing the project was to use the berry picking detector perform all the measuring and these measurementstocalculatethe approach. This was accomplished by sever- calculating functions, and determine the various control errors. ing the automation of the setup inits required camera adjustments independent- Extensive software must be added to the entirety from the manual camera system, ly of the MAC. manual SCU to convert it to an automatic and then adding as much duplicate power For this approach to be successful, the version. In order to assess the extent of this to the automatic system as was necessary to communication interface must be very additional software, let us examine theminimize the communications .nterface carefully and clearlydefined. We es- automatic set-up procedure in more detail. between the two subsystems. This meant tablished immediately that the MAC is in When the operator initiates the automaticadding an additional microcomputer and control, with the AMC responding to com- set-up procedure, the SCU initializes thebuilding two interfaces together with a mands. Communication between the two hardware detector and puts itinto thecommunications link, as indicated in Fig. microcomputersison a schedule syn- mode for detecting the appropriate infor-4. The advantages were that development chronous with the TV field rate (60 Hz). At mation from the chart image. The detectorof the two subsystems could proceed the beginning of each field, the MAC may be required to detect the video levels at almost independently, and that most of the interrupts the AMC and sends a command

Astle, et al.:The "berry picking" approach to computer systems development 19 Why was the tower of Babel an engineering fiasco? "Now the whole earth used only one communicationandorganization. cur." Since the purpose of organiza- language, with few words. On the Lack of communication led to poor tion is to reduce the amount of com- occasion of a migration from the east, coordination and, hence, failure in munication and coordination men discovered a plain in the land of the engineering project. Although the necessary, poor organization must Shinar, and settled there. Then they people had a clear mission, plenty of leadtoprojectfailure and good said to one another, 'Come, let us manpower, sufficient materials, organization will determine its make bricks, burning them well.' So abundanttime,andadequate success. they used bricks for stone, and bitu- technology, they were unable to com- Communicationreaches a low ment formortar. Then they said, overhead with a division of labor and 'Come, let us build ourselves a city a specialization of function. Using a with a tower whose top shall reach the tree -likestructureoforganization heavens (thus making a name for that incorporates division and ourselves), so that we may not be specialization of labor will result in a scattered all over the earth.' Then the diminishing need for detailed com- Lord came down to look at the city munication. and tower which human beings had Once communication has been built. The Lord said, 'They are just one reduced to a minimum, the need for people, and they all have the same effectivecommunication must be language. If this is what they can do recognized. Three essential com- as a beginning, then nothing that they munication approachesfor the resolve to do will be impossible for programming project are: (1) infor- them. Come, let us go down, and mal exchange ofinformation;(2) there make such a babble of their regularlyscheduledproject language that they will not under- meetings; and (3) the use of a formal

stand one another's speech.' Thus the project workbook. Lord dispersed them from there all Althoughtheengineersofthe over the earth, so that they had to stop tower of Babel failed to complete their building the city. project when they lost the ability to pletetheirprojectduetopoor communicate, the efficiencyofa Genesis 11:1-8 organization. software system development can be Brooksstatesthat,ina large increased by reducing communica- FrederickP. Brooks,Jr.,inThe programming project, "if there are n tion needs to a low level through Mythical Man -Month tells us that the workers on a project,thereare division of labor and specialization of tower of Babel, which according to (n2 -n)/2interfacesacrosswhich function by task partitioning coupled Genesis was man's second engineer- there may be communication, and with loose interfacing. ingundertakingafter Noah's ark, there are potentially almost 2 n teams failedfortworeasons- within which coordination must oc- B.L.S.

telling it what to do next. This command via direct memory access (DMA) from the Conclusion might be to begin a particular function or ApiC memory. The data includes a status to continue a calculation in progress. At word and calculated camera adjustments. Faced with the problem of expanding a the end of each field, the MAC inputs data Using DMA and interrupt in this way, system development program with a fixed programming of the extensive calculations deadline, wetooktheapproachof in the AMC proceeded without concern for partitioning the project into two groups of interaction with the camera. The RCA taskswithminimum coupling,using CAMERA CAMERA v IDEO LENS HEAD PROCESSOR OUT COSM AC 1802 microprocessor iswell separate microprocessors for each, and suited to that particular mode of operation establishingsimple,well-definedinter- VIDEO DETECTOR because of its onboard handling of DMA. faces. This allowed additional people to When the ApC receives a command to work on the new parts of the system SET- UP AT SEDINNIND CONTROL Tv FIELD N make a measurement, it outputs a con- without the pitfall of reducing everyone's UNIT AT END 0 ISCUI DMA -OUT ditioning command to the video detector outputbecauseofinteraction,com- Tv CLD AUTOMATIC (CONTAINS SET-UP UNIT and then inputs the results of the measure- munications and additional management (CONTAINS AH: Mµ CI AT END OF DMA requirements. Tv FIELD REOUEST ment. Any required conditioning of the camera head or processor is performed by Fig. 5. After segregation of he automatic the Mi.iC maintaining the established com- and manual systems, the systems were This article is a revision of a paper presented at the Filth loosely coupled to allow communication munication discipline. Figure 5 illustrates AnnualConferenceonIndustrialand Control across the partitions. the communications paths. Applications of Microcomputers.'

20 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Once the interface between the camera authors acknowledgethe helpand References (and its associated manual controls) and cooperationoftheRCABroadcast theautomationsystemwasdefined, SystemsDivision,who developed 1. Brooks. F. P.. Jr., The Mythical Man -Month, pp. 13- development of the two parts proceeded everything in the camera other than our 26, Addison-Wesley (1975). independently.Furthermore, debugging 2. Yourdon, E., Constantine, E., Structured Design, small part, and have final responsibility for pp. 95-12b. Yourdon f.ss (1978). was carried out independently for the two thesuccessoftheproject.Atour 3. TimesharingManual forthe RCA CDP1802 parts, using some hardware simulators Laboratory, Robert Flory and Bernard COSMAC Microprocessor, RCA Solid State Div.. and, for the software, a microprocessor Hurley made contributions as significant Somervile. N.J. (1978). 4. Fifth Annual Conference on Industrial and Control simulator on the RCA CMS timesharing asthe The authors'. Leaderofthe Applicationsof Microprocessors, Conference computer.'In addition to the obvious Laboratory group, Charles Oakley, first Proceedings, pp. 161-164 ( March 1979). benefits of the top -down approach, this suggested the idea of using two micro- allowed the automation group to fix most processors to divide the tasks. of its problems with few demands on the camera group or its equipment, which was itself a center of great activity as deadlines approached. When problems were dis- covered by either group, modifications could be tried without interacting with BrianAstleoriginallyjoined other parts of the system. RCA in 1967 at the CE Division in IndianapolisfromMullard The value of the berry picking approach Research Laboratories in was proven when the individual systems England where he had worked were connected. Few new problems were on applications of soft ferrites. found. In spite of our efforts, most were While with the CE Division he worked ontelevision -related related to the interface. These problems products doing analog circuit were not serious (once discovered), and and system design. After leaving were roughly equally divided between RCA in 1970, he rejoined RCA, in hardware and software. The automation 1974, at the DSRC to work on television devices and circuits. was completed onscheduleand Recently, he has concentrated demonstrated at the National Association on software for new products. of Broadcasters Show in April, 1978. Contact him at: Itisonly fair to point out that the RCA Laboratories Princeton, N.J. MEI additionalmanpower andcost. But Ext. 3230 without the approach of partitioning the Mike Lurie Is shown on the left, Ken Schroeder, center, project to allow parallel development, the and Brian Astle on the right. additional people and money would have been used less efficiently, and the time Michael Lurle joined the RCA David Sarnoff Ken Schroeder has ten years of software schedule would not have been met. Research Center in 1969 doing research on experienceinbothminicomputer and noise in holographic systems, and microcomputer systems. Now working on applications ofholographytovideo microcomputer -based consumer products, recording. He was Team Leader for the he has also worked with software for Acknowledgments development of optics for the Holo-Tape medicalinstrumentation,laboratory holographic video recording system. His automation, and navigation satellites. His Although the emphasis of this article is on present interests are electro-optic system, emphasishas been in theareaof theseparationof developmenttasks, with emphasis on optical video recording, hardware/software systems tradeoff and cooperation - not always the same as and microprocessor controlfor electro- software engineering. communication - between the two groups optic systems. Dr. Lurie is the author of Contact him at: many technical papers, and several patents. wasessential,attheplanningstage, RCA Laboratories Contact him at: throughoutthedevelopment,and Prliceton, N.J. RCA Laboratories Ext. 2890 particularly at the difficult moment of Princeton, N.J. connection of the complete system. The Ext. 3110

Astle, et al.: The "berry picking" approach to computer systems development 21 K. Karstad

Intelligent controllers for color -television receivers

The microprocessor brings new and powerful features to TV -receiver control including a flexibility that previously was not practical.

promises ofnumerous usefuland from the open loop analog system com- Abstract: Microprocessors now make sophisticated features not previously possi- monly employed.In thelatter case a possible programmable TV -receiver con- ble. predetermined voltage is applied to the trollers with intelligence. Electronic tun- This article describes a microprocessor - tunerwiththeexpectationthatthe ing, implemented with phase -locked loop controlled, color -TV receiver with a large generated frequency will be correct. With frequency synthesis, allows automatic number of features and options. Not all the no feedback, as in an open loop system, compensation for unavoidable differences features will be commonly found in the changes in components with time and in tuner characteristics. With a phase - average receiver for a long time to come. temperatureaffectthefrequency. locked loop system and a microcomputer Nevertheless this design, based on the Automatic compensation for unavoidable under user control, preprogramming of CDP 1802 microprocessor, illustrates the channels and events can be done at any possibilities,ofapplyingthestored achieved in an open loop analog type time. A battery back-up system is im- program concept to implement a variety of circuit. plemented to avoid losing the prestored ideas.Microprocessor controloffers a Any number on the keyboard, from 1 to information. The software and hardware modular design approach. Basic and es- 99, is translated into a bit code which sets interaction that makes all this possible is sential functions such as tuning and station the PLL to regulate on a constant L.O. described. selection are implemented first and other frequency. The data format is a 16 -bit features can be added or existing ones word; the two most significant bits are modified for various models or markets. decoded to select 1 of 4 bands (VHFI, recently,thenumberofuser - Until Important new features can quickly be VHFIII, VHF, Extra). The remaining 14 controllable features on TV sets was quite brought to the marketplace simply by bits are the binary representation of theN - limited, both for technical and economical program changes or additions without a number for a specific channel. Fourteen reasons. Channel selection and indication long range custom LSI development phase. bits give sufficient resolution to place the were by mechanical means and the remain- L.O. frequencies as little as 25 kHz apart ing features were restricted to sound and The design also highlights the close coupling between software and hardware, for VHF. This makes it possible to select picture control. With the advent of the any channelinthe world, as well as microprocessor, electronic tuning became and how severalreal-timeeventsare processed by the CDP1802, orchestrating unassigned channels used in cable TV and common. Electronic control opened up the masterantennasystem( M ATV)in- way for channel selection from a keyboard. allthreemodesofI/Otechniques: programmed, interrupt and DMA.' stallations. Additional fine tuning is im- However, there is no clear industry trend plemented with the same resolution. when it comes to applying electronics to The tuner's L.O. frequency is measured control functions. and the control voltage necessary to force In most cases the control electronics Tuning control the frequency to be correct for a selected have been standard MSI circuits or custom channel is generated by the loop. The MSI/ LSI tailored for specific functions. An all -electronic tuning systemisim- divide -by -N counter, under software con- The availability of the microprocessor is plemented with frequency synthesis. A trol by the user, therefore, selects the about to change all this. A sprinkling of TV phase -locked loop (PLL) selects the correct channel. models with microprocessor controlis localoscillator (LO.) frequency for a A ROM table translates the key depres- already on the market," and opens up specific channel and keeps the receiver sion into the correct bit code for the PLL tuned regardless of changes in the tuner according to international channel due to time and temperature (Fig. 1). allocations. With a 14 -bit code, the PLL Reprint RE -25-3-4 Final manuscript received Oct. 3. 1979. The PLL system differs fundamentally designplacestheL.O. on theexact

22 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Memory Adorer s Bus

Battery Baca -Lt. VRAM Display 32 kHz _7 2 x BCal7 Segn Decoder -Driver: 7 -101-crr VDD 2 MHz I / / _L // l/ 0 r- lII I_I o r_rI_I / /. / /0

4 t !pi DA1 Digit Drivers DA2 H WadClod, PA Address able Laic a DA3 Phase O TPA DA4 Locked 000 0000 Loop let I - Det. IR 8 MA Remote KB TA10622 8 2 x 12 C 35 Keys o rLocal KB 0 Addr DNA- n KB Latch RAM ROM CPU Control L CDP1801 EF1 ShiftDA2 DA4 EF1 DA1 -DA3- - EF2 Tuner Vol D/A mot LO. 0--eI BR DA Con- verter Con VRAM Sat 8 Analog Control Tuning/Scanning l(W Options: Teletext Data Bus Viewdata Expansion 11 VIS Game: I -

Fig. 1. The user interacts with this CTV controller via a local 2 x 12-keyset or a 35 -key remote unit sending IR pulses. Display and feedback are on a 6-dic it display showing clock and program.Exact tuning is through a PLL. allocated frequency within any channel Preprogramming stored and assigned to any channel. Tuning and additionally permits direct fine tuning, now amounts to dialing a number between overthewholechannel.Whilethe An important feature of the controller 1 and 16. traditional reason for fine tuning (AFT) is design is preprogramming of channels. A This preprogramming techniquere- eliminated by the exact frequency synthesis program is the set of instructions that the quires the channels to be known. For the approach, some users desire itin fringe viewer uses, by depressing the keyboard more general case where this is not true, a areas for improved picture quality. There is keys, to control tuning, channel changes, scanning mode is available. After pressing also, in some areas, a need to tune in non - and viewing times. Each program may be the scan key, the search, starting at the allocated channels for cable TV and master assigned to any arbitrarily chosen channel. current channel, stops at the first higher antenna systems (MATV). Fine tuning is In this design, 16 storage locations are channel available on the air. If the scan implemented in 25 -kHz steps for VHF and allocated for 16 different programs. Into mode is terminated, the frequency channel 100-k Hz steps for UHF. any of these locations, any program can be is automatically assigned to the currently

Interrupt One Frame 4 ms 1 Cycle 2 Digits: D2, D1 Cycle 2 Analogs: DiA1, D/A2, D/A3, D/A4 Period update clock Cycle 1 Cycle 1 Digits: D4, D3 Scan 7 KB lines top colon Cycle 0 Update clock IR Serial In Asynchronous Cycle 0 To Interrupt Digits: D6. D5 Monitor remote KB bottom colon

DMA -In DMA -In DMA -In Update clock (Cycle Steal)

Fig. 2. The system is interrupt driven, with the interrupt service routine split and time multiplexed. Remote IR control pulses are received in real time via DMA without interference with ongoing processing.

Karstad: Intelligent controllers for color -television receivers 23 flashing 9s. There are no restrictions on the over an infra -red link. Each depressed key sequence of entering events. The software generates a 7 -bit unique code as a pulse Turn Off Last orders the list in time sequence so that thhe position modulated (PPM) pulse train.° Digit Pair Address event nearest in time always is on the top of This pulse train, an asynchronous event the list. The software checks every minute with respect to any other task, is processed to see if an event is to be activated; if so, the by the DMA channel. Hence, the random executed event is erased from the list and real-time event is given required priority. Reset Display PTR the next in time is moved up. One of the The presence of a real-time clock permits To First Digit digit's decimal points, if lit, indicates an event programming, i.e., a certain program event is pending. When it is executed, the can be automatically turned on or off at a Part of Get Next Address Interrupt period starts blinking until the receiver specific time. acknowledges by pushing any key. If no The analog values, volume, brightness, Get Next Digit Pair acknowledgmentisreceivedwithin 5 contrast and saturation, are changed con- minutes, the set turns itself off. tinuously up or down while holding the \ Output Next Pair What is described above may be termed appropriate key. A 6 -bit word in memory, a "once" event. It is just as easy to program providing 64 -step resolution, is output at a N an event which is automatically repeated predetermined rate and incremented or every 24 hours or one that turns a program decremented by one each time. With the off at a specified time. sample -and -hold multiplexing technique, Inc Next DIA Address The programmed information (time, one output port is sufficient for serving Monitor Monitor Local KB Remote KB program number) can be listed on the four different channels. Translate Sample Next DIA display by a LIST button on the keyboard To Assemble to indicate if it is a "once," "off" or "repeat" Command Command Code Code Last No event. If the list is empty or exhausted, the Expansion DIA Address display flashes 8s. Yes Noticethat,withaPLLsystem, A modular structure of the software makes preprogramming of channels and events itpossible to add options by adding can be done at any time. No stations have additional ports to the data bus and Fig. 3. This detail of the Interrupt service to be on the air. The set can even be off. It is additionalsegmentsofcodetothe routine shows time division multiplexing In now possible for the dealer to preprogram software. Two options of considerable three cycles in order to distribute the real- sets before they are delivered to customers. future interest are Teletexts and Viewdata.6 time load. If, for instance, a key marked Teletext is depressed, the software checks for the Display and keyboard control existence of this option. If itis present, chosen program number. Each push of the certainkeysare,fromthismoment, scan button makes thetuning system Channel and program numbers are shown redefined and execute different tasks from search for the nearest higher available on a 6 -digit LED off -screen display. For a the normal TV mode. The latter mode is carrier. If no station is found, the scan period of time, on -screen display was recalled by another key, NTV. wraps around (goes back to the current popular.Itseemed,however,thata A Video Interface System (VIS), which channel) and stops on the frequency from dedicatedoff -screendisplaywasthe alsoisTeletext compatible, is another where the search started. simplest solution. It can be on permanent- option. This system, built around two LSI In addition to the channel scan discussed ly,and does not distract the viewer's CMOS chips,' offers a variety of formats above, a program scan is also part of the attention from the screen. for displaying and modifying data under tuning system. This scan searches the 16 Sixdigitsarethe optimum design software control with either NTSC or PAL prestored programs. The scan starts at the permitting continuous display of clock and compatible output signals. current program and stops at the nearest program number. This is the normal or higherprogramnumber. Off -the -air priority display mode. Upon request from stations are quickly bypassed while valid the keyboard, both channel and program Battery back-up stations are given enough time to tune in. A numbers are shown, the channel number wrap -around feature is part of this scan displacing the clock display. Also, in the A battery back-up system is implemented mode also. scanning mode, the channel frequencies to avoidlosing prestoredchannel A 6 -digit display and a 24 -hour clock assigned to programnumbersare programs and event programs during makeitpossibletopreprogram and automatically displayed. A 6 -digit display power failure. The outage may last from monitor events. This applies for a period issufficientfor easy programming of seconds to hours and be indefinite if the from the current time to 24 hours into the events as well as listing what events already user simply pulls the ac cord, accidentally future. An arbitrary number of memory are programmed. or planned. Due to an all CMOS system, locations, eight in this design, are reserved The local keyboard, with 12 keys and continuousoperationiseconomically foreventprograms. Theuser,while shift -key, can handle 24 tasks. The basic possible with four small nickel -cadmium watching the display, simply keys in the ones are program selection, scanning, (NiCd) rechargeable cells. time for the set to turn on (or switch if analog controls (up/ down), mute, on/ off A two -levelbatterymodeis im- already on) and the program number to and setting the clock. plemented. The central processing unit tune to. This can be repeated until the list is The master keyboard is remote with 35 (CPU) senses if the power fails; the NiCd full, which is indicated by the display keys and communicates with the receiver cells automatically take over and run the

24 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 The keyboards must be checked fre- quently enough to catch any random key (Enter depressions. Finally,anycommand

Power.On Reset received (fine tuning, scan, mute, etc.), must be processed and executed. These overlapping and partially con- flicting specifications are resolved by an

Top. interrupt driven system together with a

Stow DMA -channel for the remote keyboard. A Clock pulse train, derived from the CPU clock, interrupts the software program every 4

Valid ms. (Fig. 2). A one -second counter in the Station Sound Off interrupt routine is incremented, and later in the same cycle checked, to determine whether one second has elapsed. If it has, Yes 1 Min. Flag an update routine (still part of the interrupt Search. service routine) updates 4 RAM locations Find Nearest Event In Time and Turn of the clock display. The load is distributed OnION Set. 5 Mtn during interrupt by dividing it into 3 cycles. Erase Event - Flag Turn Off Set Turn OnlOft Period. The processing in these cycles is done according to the flowchart of Fig. 3, which shows part of the interrupt service routine Command Code between the incrementing of the one - Available second counter and the update routine. The sequence of events is as follows: an Translate Command Code interrupt occurs. The last digit pairis Into Task Address Store Address turned off and the next pair is turned on. Then, the four analog channels are mul- tiplexed and refreshed and the clock is Branch updated. Control now returns to the main To Task program. At the next interrupt, the last digit pair is turned off and the next one on. The clock is updated again, but in this Branch To FOM Option cycle, the local keyboard is also scanned for Mute key closure. At the third interrupt, the last List On/Oft digit pair is handled and the service routine Scan Call Task Routine etc monitors whether or not a character is being received from the remote keyboard and processes the command. Once more the clock is updated, and the main program resumes execution. The clock is updated Fig. 4. The main program loops in a short section, testing to see it a keyboard commandwas received. Ititis, the appropriate task is called and executed every 4 ms, and every 12 ms the display and the D/ A channels are refreshed. Both keyboards are monitored, and, if a key whole system for a predetermined period: Software and hardware closure took place, the required processing one week, refer to the flowchart (Fig. 4). interaction is done for the main program to act upon In order to conserve power, the CPU, later. upon detecting power failure, automatical- There are many tasks to be performed in A key depression on the local keyboard ly switches from the 2-M Hz crystal to a low this real-time controller application, with is translated into a command code and frequency crystal at 32 kHz. The switching strictrequirements. Thesoftwarere- stored in memory for the main program to takes place during a few milliseconds quirements are: ability to multiplex the 6 - process.Thesoftwaremonitorsthe WAIT state, which the CPU also enters digit display, to multiplex four analog presence of a bit stream arriving from the upon detecting power failure. If power is channels, to update the clock, to monitor remote keyboard over the infrared link, not restored within the predetermined the remote and local keyboards for action, measures the time between pulses, and number of seven days, the CPU turns off and to execute the keyboard -defined tasks. assembles the information into a character after shutting down the whole system, with The clock must be updated regularly and which representsthe actual command the exception of the RAM, which stores frequently enough so as not to lose time. code. Finally the program tags the received user -programmed information. The re- The display must be refreshed and at a rate command code as to what type it is; a single maining battery power issufficient for high enough to avoid flicker, i.e., at least command (ON /OFF) or a repeat com- approximately three months of storage. If 50-60 Hz. The analog values must also be mand (VOLUME UP) for the duration of power returns before three months, opera- refreshed steadily at a rate high enough to the key depression. tion resumes as normal with stored infor- maintain a dc signal and without excessive When controlreturnstothe main mation intact. large filter constants. program in each interrupt time slot, the

Karstad: Intelligent controllers for color -televisionreceivers 25 A unique hardware and software interplay for the clock, display and keyboard

The local keyboard with 12 keys and display digits. The update routine last select line fora digit pair and tests shift key can handle 24 tasks. These transfers data for the four clock digits if it was cycle #0. If the answer is yes, a are the basic tasks such as program from the update buffer. new frame of events is about to be selection, scanning, analog controls The configuration of the data in the repeated and the display pointer is (up/down), mute, on/off and clock display buffer is closely related to the reset to the top of the display buffer. setting.Themaster keyboardis hardware scheme. Segment data for a Segment data for the next digit pair is remotewith35keys and com- digit pair are fed from two separate output and the pair is selected. In this municates with the receiver over an latch/decoder circuits. An 8 -bit ad- example,thepairisoutput and infraredlink.Each depressed key dressable latch selects the digit pair selected. In this example, the answer generates a 7 -bit unique code as a or the D/A channel to be sampled. to testing cycle #2 is yes. The four D/A pulsepositionmodulated (PPM) Another addressable latch provides channels are now sampled in a burst pulsetrain.Thispulsetrain,an scan address for testing key closures mode after which the routine exits to asynchronous event with respect to on the local keyboard. The required the update part. At next interrupt, any other task, is processed by the 16 bits of data are assembled in one since it was not cycle #0, the program directmemoryaccess(DMA) 16 -bit central processing unit (CPU) turns on the next digit pair. The channel. Hence, the random real-time register and output over the memo -y program finds itself in cycle #1 and event is given required priority. address bus with just one instruction. the local keyboard routine is Four locations in random access Four RAM locations store the 6 -bit activated.Finally,at the thirdin- memory (RAM) are assigned to hold D/A data. terrupt (cycle #0), the remote the four clock digits. Another buffer in The software section of thein- keyboard routine is sequenced. RAM, the display buffer, contains terrupt routineinteracts with this binary coded data (BCD) for the six hardware. The program turns off the

program simply checks to determine if a system block and has its own LSI con- Acknowledgment command was received from one of the troller. With the exception of the ECL keyboards.If so, that task, i.e., change prescaler, the low-pass filter and The author gratefully acknowledges the brightness, is executed. If no command is operational amplifier, all circuitry for the help and contributions of Jerry Fogarty. received, the CPU is essentially idle until PLL loop is integrated on one CMOS chip. the next interrupt occurs. In most cases, the A more compact system is possible, in a free time in one of the three cycles is ample future design, with more of the MIS logic time for processing any task in the main integrated on larger but fewer chips. Also, program; ifitis not, the next interrupt if the CDP1804 microprocessor is sub- simply postpones the background process- stituted, 2-K bytes of ROM and 64 -bytes of ing into one or a few more time slots. This is RAM would be absorbed inside the CPU not apparent to the user. chip. The modular design approach will The flowchart for the main program permit other features to be added at later (Fig. 4) gives additional information. An dates.Onceintelligentcontrolisim- interrupt can occur any time in the main plemented, the features are only limited by program. Most of the time, it loops at the the designer's imagination and the top (goes back to the beginning of the economical facts of the marketplace. program), when no keyboard commandit received. References Kaare Karstad has worked in the micro- Summary I. Kleiman, Art, "Programmable Color TV," Radio - processor field since the product group was Electronics (May. 1977). formed in the Solid State Division. His work mit 2. Baum, Wolfgang,"Farbfernsehgerat has covered applications, engineering, and The microprocessor brings new and power- Steuerung," Funk.schau, Heft 17 Microprozessor marketing support. He is presently doing (1977). fulfeatures to TV -receiver controlin- microcomputer system designs in the areas 3. User Manual for the CDP1802 Microprocessor, cluding a flexibility that previously was not ofconsumer applications andsupport M PM -201 B and COS M AC Microprocessor practical to implement. Incorporating a Product Guide, M PM -180B, RCA Corp., Solid systems. His earlier background includes real-time clock allows event -programming; State Div., Somerville, N.J. CMOS applications and computer -oriented research at the RCA Laboratories. the TV set turns itself on or off or switches 4. Valvo: Data Sheet SAB 3011. stations in a preplanned sequence. User 5. "Teletext -The LSI Solution," Mullard Technical Contact him at: Information, TP1606. MOS Microcomputer Systems Engineering interaction is via a local keyboard on the 6. "Viewdata." Wireless World (Feb., 1977). Solid State Division set or a remote 35 -key unit. A PLL loop 7. Data Sheets CDPI869 and CDPI870, RCA Ccrp., Somerville, N.J. with its technical advantages forms a major Solid State Div., Somerville, N.J. Ext. 6041

26 Karstad: Intelligent controllers for color -television receivers B.W. BeyersIA.J. Suchko

The AutoProgrammer

The AutoProgrammer, which gives the viewer program sequence control, is a new function spin-off of the 8 -bit microcomputer.

our approach was to use essentially the namely:price, amount of Read/ Write, Abstract: The 8 -bit microcomputer samefront -panelspaceasa normal random-access memory (RAM), number provided the option of designing a keyboard -tunedreceiver.This was ac- of I/O ports, and amount of read-only programmerfor TV -viewing control. How complished by using a I2 -key keyboard memory (ROM). At the time our decision this new product, the AutoProgrammer, (3x4 keys) instead of the present 10 -key was made,theMostek3870micro- was defined during the design phase, and (3x3 +Ikey) keyboard, by controlling computer was easily the best choice. The how optimum performance vs. low cost receiver power and volume from the nearest. competition did not have sufficient influenced microcomputer selection is keyboard, and by replacing the 2 -digit I/O capability, had only one-half the ROM discussed . The software and hardware that channel display by a 4 -digit display which of the 3870, and cost more. We were not were used in the AutoProgrammer are displays both time and channel. overlyconcernedaboutthemachine described. The future promises a con- The next major step in the product organization or instruction set because we tinuing evolution of microcomputer definition was to define algorithms that felt the auto -programmer software would features. allowed the usertoenter and review not involve extended calculations or im- viewing schedules using only the 12 keys pose serious time constraints. The RAM and the 4 -digit display. (Use of the CRT for size, of course, limits the number of user The evolutionofa new component display was considered, but because of the commands that can be stored for channel provides the product designer with two desirability of a continuous clock display selection. The emphasis on latched I/O choices: either to improve the cost perfor- and higher cost of a CRT display, the results from our desire to drive the display mance ratio of an existing function or to product was restricted to a 4 -digit,7 - without multiplexing the digits.In TV provide a completelynew function. segment display). In order to interact with receivers, the multiplexing currents fre- Primary emphasis in the design of mature the user, the keyboard was double labelled quently radiate into the "rabbit ear" anten- productsisput on thefirstoption; and the 7 -segment display was used to na and interfere with the TV picture. It was however, occasionally a technology create various alphanumeric abbreviations uncertain how much ROM would be evolves which generates a component to prompt the user (Ed - for edit, etc.) and needed to realize the desired algorithm, but whose attributes encourage the second to display time and channel information. we felt the 2048 (two kilobytes), 8 -bit words option. The origin of the 8 -bit microcom- To simplify operation of the receiver in the in the 3870 would be sufficient, whereas puter provided the option of designing a "normal" viewing mode, all programming 1024, 8 -bit words (1 kilobyte) might not be programmer for TV viewing. Of course, input functions are active only when the enough. (Of course we needed all of the 2 such a product could have been built before TV set is off: thus, in the normal viewing kilobytes.) The price of the 3870 has, the advent of the microcomputer, but the mode the receiver function is similar to an unfortunately, increased over the initial cost/ performance ratio did not appear earliermodel (Direct -Addressmodel). quote. Apparently,manufacturers satisfactory until the 8 -bit microcomputer With the set off, the programming input overestimatedtheyieldand un- was available at a consumer product price. sequenceis:Start, Day, Time of Day, derestimated the market. Channel, End. Using the Monday through Friday button for the day selection allows a Product definition single input command to select a channel each weekday. Other functions such as It was desirable to minimize the develop- Software Clock Set and Edit rely on similar input ment expenditure of the programmer, es- sequences. The time and channel change information pecially tooling costs, and to have as little is stored in two, 8 -bit words: three bits for impact on the rest of the TV receiver as day of the week and five bits for hour in the possible. It was also felt that a digital clock Microcomputer selection first word, one bit for half hour and seven built into the receiver was marketable. So, bits for channel in the second word (Fig. 1). Four factors were of major importance in Reprint RE -25-3-5 The system is restricted to operating on the Final manuscript received Sept. 19. 1979. selecting the microcomputer for this task, half hour. The seven bits for channel

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 27 and occasional loops through the "search" routine to see if a channel -change com- DAY 111 IHOURS mand should be executed. Since none of 1/2HR we CHANNEL these functions is very time demanding, it I - I - - - - I - was possible to add the 40 -Hz variable - dutycyclerectangular -waveform gen- erator in the keyboard scan loop. The Fig. 1. The time and channel change information is stored in two 8 -bit words. processor clock (4 MHz) is divided by an internal prescaler and counter by a factor possible because the tasks to be performed of 10'. The content of the volume register is can be done between interrupts (with but PM compared to the continuously counting one exception) and the programs do not modulo 256 counter to determine the duty need to be reentered. The idle loop, which cycle. A "I" is outputted as long as the scans the keyboard, also manipulates the content of the volume register is greater SUN MON TUE interrupt enable and allows the 60 -Hz than the content of the counter. CI](-21r -1'm clock to interrupt at a time when the Internal delays are derived from the machine state is known. Another advan- WED THU FRI counter associated with the volume (100 -)Ls tage of this scheme is that subroutines PM increments), or from a counter associated [4 associated with the 60 -Hz clock can also be 6, with the 60 -Hz clock (16 millisecond in- SAT M -F EDIT used by the main program without writing crements). 8 9 TIME reentrant code. The one task that exceeds VOL CLAiSET VOL 16 milliseconds (the period of the 60 -Hz

CLR interrupt) is the channel change command Ae:1 which requires a long delay (- 500 ms) Controls for the human factor END PROM when the TV set power is turned on, and 33 milliseconds between digit outputs to the "People Proofing" is a major problem in programming command Fig. 2. Each synthesizer. This is handled by setting a programming a computer for a consumer begins by pushing the start button and ends Thealgorithmsforthe by pushing the end button. flag which directs the program flow to the product. channel -change subroutineaftera 60 - AutoProgrammer wereconstrainedto Hertzinterruptinsteadofaccepting satisfy three major human factor criteria: information are kept in a binary-coded keyboard inputs. ( I ) symmetrical data entry, (2) no illegal decimal (BCD) -like format with channels Fortunately, it is only necessary to main- entries, (3) no penalty for the experienced above 79 folded into unused codes (i.e., tain the volume level (via a dc voltage) user.By "symmetrical data entry", we channel 8010 can be coded as 7A16, 81 as while the receiver is on and tuned to a mean that all commands have the same 71316, 82 as 7C16) since hex codes above 9 station. In this state, most of the processor format.Each programming command are unused in BCD representation. The time is spent in the keyboard scan loop with begins by pushing the start button and ends eighth day code is used for the Monday - short interruptions to serve the 60 -Hz clock by pushing the end button (Fig. 2). The Friday option. The routine that interprets channel change commands searches the command list in such a manner that any individual day command programmed for the same time as a Monday -Friday com- mand takes precedence. This allows an "except" feature for easy implementation of a Tuesday, Thursday, and Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, if desired. Channel 00 is interpreted as an off com- mand. One of the problems with the 3870 is that nesting subroutines is difficult. As a result, we restricted our software to one level of subroutines.

Interrupts The interrupt facility of the microcomputer is used to drive the time -of -day clock from the 60 -Hz power line.In order to save RAM, no machine states are saved during an interrupt. (That is, when an interrupt occurs, the program counter, accumulator and other information normally used to Fig. 3. The 12 -key encoded keyboard and a 4 -digit phospherescent display are located reenter a program are not saved). This is adjacent to the tube on the receiver.

28 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 start button is followed by a mode entry voltage in the CRT) and to eliminate which tests the machine by reading the (Program, Edit or Clockset) then a day additional cable and mounting costs, it was ROM and comparing the contents to a entry (e.g., Monday). In the Program- and decided to mount the display directly on reference ROM. The instruction setis Clockset-modes, time is entered next and the module printed circuit board. Because tested bycomparisonwithanother followedby channel number,inthe of this, the location and size of the module machine, and various parametric tests are program mode.In theEdit mode, a were constrained. These constraints made also made. programmedtime isdisplayedfirst, layout difficult and induced some concern The testing of the Auto Programmer followed by the channel number to main- aboutmaximumtemperature. Open - module, however, required a custom tester. tain symmetry with the programming se- collector hex inverters (7406s) were used to To test the completed module, the micro- quence. Thedisplayprovidesvisual provide the voltage gain necessary to drive computer is forced to an idle state with all response to keyboard inputs. the display and, because of the size con- of its outputs high. The microcomputer Illegal entries, that is, entries outside the straints mentioned above, ceramic -resistor then pulls each output low and checks for meaningful range, e.g. 13 o'clock, are not networks were used to provide the pull-up the appropriate level at the module ex- accepted. Since there is no response to resistors for the inverters. tremity. For instance, the display outputs keyboard entries outside the desired range, The power supply was designed to are checked by optical sensors that read the apartial entryisnot affected by an provide 85 mA to the 3870 at rated voltage display. Power -supply voltages and other obviously incorrect key closure. for at least 44)0 milliseconds after power module parameters are also checked. This Programming isrestricted to half-hour line dropout. This was accomplished by test has proven satisfactory. We designed increments and entries are rounded to the using a half -wave rectifier which charged a and built a tester using a minicomputer. half hour and displayed as such as soon as 6600-µf capacitor to 15 volts from the The basic philosophy of the tester is to test the last digit is entered. To avoid penalizing basic -power source and by cutting off the the module manufactured, assuming the the user who does not need the visual power tothe7406s during a power microcomputer works correctly. To ac- prompts, the software allows the user to dropout. complish this test, the microcomputer is override the prompt timing by simply With 32 input/output lines, it was still forced to an idle state with all of its output inputting the correct sequence at the user's necessary to sharefive lines. The ports high. The microcomputer than pulls preferred speed. However, the beginning ON / OFF -control line is shared with the each port low and checks for the ap- user can retain the visual prompts as long strobe line to the synthesizer tuner and four propriate level at the module extremity. as desired by holding the key down. When display lines are shared with the four data Display action is checked by optical sen- the key is released, the display is main- lines to the synthesizer. In order to do this a sors. Various power supply voltages are tained for 2 seconds and then changes to display digit is blanked during the strobe also tested and the microcomputer is ex- prompt the next entry. output and a delay is added to the On/ Off ercisedbriefly.Thistesthasproven circuit to keep the receiver on during the 33 -millisecond strobe pulse. The delay was Software testing realized as a one shot with discrete com- ponents. Conc usion Testing the softwareis another major problem for a consumer product. The In the future, we expect to see a reduction problems one can think of are usually not Hardware testing in the cost per function of semiconductors the problem. To test for this other set of thatwillallow scheduling features to problems, a varied set of commands was The 3870 has special provisions for testing. appear in a larger part of the product line. programmed by a number of persons with Basically, these allow the internal bus of We also anticipate a much broader use of different educational backgrounds. Fur- the computer to be accessed from two 8 -bit microcomputers for television controls and ther test procedures were written for testing ports. A commercial testeris available a continued evolution of new features. the Auto -Programmer instruments in our life -test facilities. In this case, careful atten- Adam Suchko has worked in all secions of tion was paid to details such as correct television design and microprocessor development. He came to RCA in 1c74 and timing, execution of commands at correct worked on def ection systems and video test time and retention of programmed infor- systems. He hasworkedon micro- mation. The 700 -hour test should have processor -based systems since 1976, in- revealed any small cumulative errors. cluding the Autcprogrammer. Contact him at. RCA Consumer Electronics Indianapolis, Ind. Hardware Ext. 5908 Besides the 3870, the other major com- B.W. Beyers joined RCA Consumer Elec- tronics in 1965 where he worked as an ponents in the system are a I2 -key encoded advanced deve'opment engineer until 1974. keyboard and a 4 -digit phosphorescent In 1971 hewas awardedtheRCA display (Fig. 3). Interfacing the keyboard is Laboratories OutstandingAchievement straightforward, but the display is more Award for digital design related to TV. In 1974 he joined the TV tuning systems group. difficult because of the large number (33) of leads involved. In order to reduce the Contact him at RCA Consume Electronics sensitivity to kine-arc induced voltages Indianapolis, Ind. Suchko is shown seated beside Beyers in (discharges ofits30 -kVacceleration Ext. 5906 the laboratory.

Beyers and Suchko: The AutoProgrammer D. Sprague

82 -channel, single -touch TV tuning system

Intelligent tuning and volume -control interfaces for televi- sion viewers are now possible with analog touchplates and 8 - bit microcomputers.

reliable, and rugged. There are definite instructionsandmanipulate dataac- Abstract: The invention of 8 -bit micro- advantages to be gained from giving the cording to those instructions. In order to be computers supplied the potential for an interface some intelligence through the use considered a computer, a system must intelligent interface between the user and of a microprocessor or microcomputer. An contain not only a microprocessor but also the TV: the single -touch TV tuning system . interface that is intelligent is even more of memory and input/output channels. A The analog-touchplate design is discussed. microcomputer is a single -chip computer How microcomputers are used to give an asset to the user and enhances the which means that it consists of a micro- intelligence to the interface and provide product. processor, some read-only memory ideal performanceisdescribed. The (ROM), some Read/ Write random-access problems encountered in finding the best memory (referred to as RAM) and in- algorithm are demonstrated. A descrip- The difference betweer put/output channels all on a single in- tion of the advantages of a touchplate microprocessor and tegrated circuit. control system provides the conclusion. microcomputer The microcomputer is generally more limited in computing power and expan- The interface between user and device is a Before continuing, let's discuss the distinc- dability than a microprocessor, however, very important part of any consumer tion between a microprocessor and a its conservative size makes itideal for product. A good interface allows easy and microcomputer. A microprocessorisa small-scale control applications such as an efficient communication while being safe, single -chip processor which can execute intelligent interface.

ACTIVE AREA

SURFACE COVERING

RESISTIVE MATERIAL 3

NON-CONDUCTIVE MASK

b

METAL (LOW -CONDUCTANCE) SHEET FIg. 1. A touchplate, modeled here as two potentiometers, Is a solution to a low-cost, a reliable interface. CONSTRUCTION OF TOUCHPLATE

30 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 contact are measured as follows. When the the microcomputer must also send the active area of the touchplate is pressed, the appropriate signals to the tuner to change resistive material contacts the conducting channels and output a voltage level for plate at the point of contact. By applying a volume control. The Intel 8746 micro- voltage difference between pins I and 3, computer was chosen as the controller. while leaving pins 2 and 4 open, a voltage Some of the features which influenced this may be measured from pin 5, which is decision were the 27 input/output ports, I - proportional to the x coordinate of the k bytes of erasable programmable read- point of contact. Likewise, to measure they only memory (EPROM) (for program POINT OF coordinate, pins 1 and 3 are open circuited memory), and 64 bytes of RAM (for the CONTACT while a voltage is applied between pins 2 storage of variables) all on the micro- and 4. Now the voltage on pin 5is computer chip. This proved to be more 4 proportional to the y coordinate of the than enough memory and I/ 0, allowing us WITH V2 V. OPEN point of contact (Fig. 2). to get away with using only one chip (the x cc V13,, - V, 8748) for the brains of the interface device. V3 - V, The connection to the tuner requires five Microcomputer control output lines. Four of the lines are used to

WITH V, V3 OPEN send binary -coded -decimal digits(4 -bit

V37.- 13 A microcomputer could be used to switch binary words of values 0-9) and the fifth is a the voltages to pins I and 3 or pins 2 and 4, strobe. The volume control requires a Vi- V2 measure the voltage at pin 5 using an voltage level output ranging from 0 volts Fig. 2. The touchplate is a square -shaped analog -to -digital converter (ADC), and (minimum volume) to 6 volts (maximum surface from which the x and y coordinates scale these measured voltages (one for x, volume). of the point -of -touch may be determined. one fory)as necessary. Since there must be at least 82 possible selections from the Touchplate tuning touchplate, software will be used to scale Analcg-to-digital conversion and volume control the x andyvalues to range between 0 and 9. This gives us the equivalent of a 10x10 If the microcomputer is to controlthe A project was established at the labs that array of keys. Some of the extra keys will touchplate and communicate with the TV, would provide an evaluation of an idea for be used to control the volume. both an analog -to -digital converter (to a TV input device. The device would give A layout of the touchplate surface show- decode the touchplate) and a digital -to - the user single -button access to any one of ing the channel numbers and volume con- analog converter (to control the volume) the 82 TV channels. The interface device trol area is illustrated in Fig. 3. will be required. However, since volume shouldalsofeaturevolumecontrol In addition to decoding the touchplate, control isn't needed while decoding the anticipating use in remote control systems. The final criteria for such a product, which ACTIVE IRE A is present in all consumer products, were low-cost and acceptable reliability. 2 3 4 5 6 T E 9

One solution to the questions of cost and 10 II 2 13 i4IS 16 I7 1419 reliability was found in the use of an analog 2021 2223 2425 2627 2*29 touchplate. This device is a square -shaped 30 31 3233 3435 3637 3*39 surface from which the x andycoordinates 4041 4243 4445 4647 449 50 51 5253 5455 5657 3459 of the point at which it is touched may be 6061 6263 6465 6667 6*69 determined. Since the device is analog, i.e., 70 71 7273 7475 76TT 717 continuous over the surface, we can divide BO81 8283 it, through software, into an array of cells DOWN VOLUME U of any order we choose (4x4, 10x10, or 5x6, for example). There are several advantages to using this touchplate rather than a matrix of 82 calculator -type keys. The touchplate is both less expensive and more reliable. Surface coverings such as teflon or mylar may be specified to the manufacturer of the touchplate (I IncorporatedofSan Francisco, California) depending on the ruggedness desired. A construction diagram and a simplified circuit model are shown in Fig. la and lb. The x andycoordinates of the point of

Reprint RE -25-3-5 Fig. 3. 3. There are 82 possible selections from the touchplate. Some of the extra keys are used Final manuscript received Oct 3.1979 to control volJrne

Sprague: 82 -channel, single -touch TV tuning system 31 DIGITAL 8 A IN A >B ANALOG

8748 OUT CLK LOW PASS 6MHz B B FILTER CLOCK ANALOG VOLTAGE COMPARATOR 8 BIT 8 BT DIGITAL ANALOG TO DIGITAL BINARY COMPARATOR CONVERTER TO MEASURE COUNFER FOR DIGITAL INPUT OF V5 FROM TOUCHPLATE 12710 (7F10) DIGITAL TO ANALOG COUNTER CYCLE CONVERTER Fig.4. The analog -to -digital conversion can be accomplished ANALOG 256X CLOCKPERIO-D- using theADC,a voltage comparator, and a routine implemented in OUT software. OUTPUT OF ,28,0 25510° COUNTER touchplate, the analog -to -digital conver- ( 80,4) ( F Fie ) sion could be done using the digital -to - analog converter (DAC), a voltage com- Fig. 5. Digital -to -analog conversion is implemented by a variable parator, and a successive -approximations pulse -width method. routine implemented in software. This is illustrated in Fig. 4. to the time constant of the low-pass filter. Thesuccessive -approximations DAC will be used in decoding position on As stated before, however, the accuracy, algorithm works by putting each bit high, the touchplate, accuracy will be an impor- not the speed, is the important factor in this starting with the most significant one. A tant consideration while the speed will be change in the output of the comparator of lesser importance. For this reason, the application. means that the output of the DAC is DAC was implemented by a variable pu'se- greater than the voltage we are trying to width method. measure. In this case, the bit is reset to the As the name implies, the mechanism of Creating linearity this type of conversion is to vary the pulse low state. lf, when the bit is placed high, the with a microcomputer output of the comparator doesn't change, width (or duty cycle) of a periodic square wave in proportion to a binary input. Then After prototyping the circuit, which in- then the bit is kept high. This procedure is repeated for each bit, in order of decreasing a low-pass filteris used to remove the cluded the microcomputer, a DAC, a numerical significance and the output of fundamental frequency and all harmonics. voltage comparator, and the necessary for switching voltages to the the DAC zeros in on the unknown voltage. This leaves Only the dc content or the circuitry Once all eight bits have been tested, the average of the waveform. Thus, we obtain a touchplate, software experimentation was resulting binary word being output to the voltagelevel proportional to a binary started. At this point a major problem was DAC isproportional to this unknown input. Figure 5 is a block diagram of the encountered: the touchplate was much DAC. more nonlinear than expected. Toil- voltage. Since the relative accuracy is determined lustrate the problem, equipotential lines by the digital part of the circuit, it tends to for the touchplate are shown in Fig. 6. The Digital -to -analog conversion be very accurate. The disadvantage to this effect is much greater near the edge than method is the limited conversion rate due near the center, but, due to the small size of Now all that's left to be specified is the digital -to -analog converter. Because this 2

STROBE P14 C3 .4-P13 TOUCHPLATE TO2 Pi2 TUNER PI I 00 PIO 8748 7- x ADC DAC'-^' VOLUME +12 VOLTS 04 P2. P21 / X

GND 0+12 VOLTS TO REGULATED VOLUME VOL ADC SAMPLE /HOLD

* SWITCHES ARE MADE UP OF EOUIPOTENTIAL LINES CMOS BILATERAL SWITCH (WHEN MEASURING X VOLTAGE) INTEGRATED CIRCUTS (4066). Fig. 6. Expotential lines show the nonlinearity of the Fig. 7. The final design incorporatesCMOS bilateral switches for voltage and touchplate. volume -level output control.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 32 the touchplate, the whole area had to be row was selected, the volume would be it has potential uses in other areas. Some of used. This nonlinearity greatly increased increased or decreased. the characteristics that make the micro- the complexity of the routine which uses From the user point of view, the opera- computer/touchplate combination a themeasuredvalues of x and y to tion is very simple. To select a channel, the desirable input device are: (I) through determine which cell (or key) is being area of the touchplate in the immediate software the number and configuration of pressed because the x and y values are no vicinity of that number is pressed. The the keys may be altered quite easily; and (2) longer independent. channelselectedistunedwithin0.1 the front cover on which the labels are The problem could have been solved by seconds. To increaseor decrease the placed could be replaceable allowing the changingthephysicaldesignofthe volume, the lowest row is pressed on the keys to be relabeled. These two touchplate, but for this project we chose to right or left side. characteristics together would result in a use the available computing power of the very flexiblekeyboardfor such 8748, to make this nonlinear device appear applications as video games, portable data to the user as essentially linear, though The final solutions terminals, and point -of -sales terminals. discrete. The essence of the interface design Also, since the device is continuous, it isthe use of a microcomputer's com- The system was found to function better, could be used as a digitizer or as an when we evaluated it, than expected, con- putational power to alter the apparent inexpensive replacement for a joystick. sidering that the size of the touchplate's characteristics of a device, to make the We have looked at the design of a micro- active area is only 4x4 cm, giving a cell size device appear more ideal. computer -controlled input device and dis- of 4x4 mm. One problem we did notice was cussed some of the advantages gained by that, near the edge of the active area, it was giving the device some intelligence. The Finding the best algorithm harderto make thedesiredselection important point is that, because of the because of the thickness of the mask. The present technology and more specifically, Several search algorithms were considered solution to this problem would involve in trying to find the best method to obtain because of the decreasing price of these simply using a larger touchplate. This the cell number (00-99), given the binary microcomputers, it is becoming possible to would make the device as easy to operate as values of the x and y voltages. Most of the placemicrocomputersrightinsmall a matrix of keys. algorithmsconsideredwereunreliable devices such as the one described to reduce Another change tothesystem, for because the columnbeingselected the amount of circuitry (to do decoding for production purposes, would be to use depended on both x and y as did the row example) and to make the device appear another type of digital -to -analog con- being selected. more ideal. verter. This would have little, if any, effect The final solution, a rather brute -force on the operation of the device, but would one, was determined to be the best choice in reduce the number of integrated circuits. terms of repeatability and computing time. There are two routes that could be taken: This algorithm consists of checking the x (1) do the digital -to -analog conversion and y voltages at the point of contact. in entirelyin software,letting the micro- their binary form, against the x and y computer take the place of the counter and values of the center of each cell (these latter digital comparator; or (2) use a single -chip values were previously measured and DAC. At first glance, the former method stored in a look -up table). The correct cell may seem much more desirable, but a (the one being pressed) was the one for higher order filter, requiring more com- which the distance between the x and y ponents, would be necessary to reduce the coordinates of the point of contact and the conversion time. This would probably x and y coordinates of the center of the cell offset most of the reduction in cost ob- was a minimum. tained by eliminating the counter and A block diagram of the final design is DaveSpragueis a memberofthe comparator. Thus, thelattermethod, shown in Fig. 7. CMOS bilateral switches Microsystem Research Group, whose main utilizing a DAC chip would probably be emphasis is microprocessor application, at areusedtoswitchvoltagestothe the better one. the David Sarnoff Research Center. He touchplate and to switch the DAC between started full-time employment with RCA in the comparator and the volume -level out- June ofthisyear,having worked the put. Another comparator, not shown in the previous summer atthe David Sarnoff Conclusion Research Center through a co-op program. diagram, sends an interrupt signal to the It was during this summer employment microcomputer when the touchplateis As a channel input device, this method has period that the work described in this article pressed. questionable advantages over the memory was done. Dave's present work is also in the When the touchplate is pressed, the x typetuning systems(alistof active area of microprocessor applications to TV features. and y voltages are measured, converted to a channels is scanned using up and down cell number, and the new channel number Contact him at: buttons). However, since the touchplate RCA Laboratories is sent to the tuner. If the cell number were may be manufactured in a variety of sizes Princeton, N.J. greater than 89, meaning that the bottom with specified impedances and tolerances, Ext. 3178

Sprague: 82 -channel, single -touch TV tuning system 33 H.A. Goldstand

Software techniques for a microprocessor -based data acquisition device

The microprocessor -controlled vehicle monitoring system is potentially applicable to all classes of vehicles - land, marine, and air- for both commercial and military applications.

two digiswitches and a hexadecimal dis- Abstract:A Vehicle Monitoring System significant" are discarded while significant play to allow operator communication data are saved in a 15-K byte storage area (VMS), based on the RCA 1802 micro- with the VMSEA. A digital -cassette unit is in the form of detailed profiles, summary processor, was developed for recording the used both to reprogram the VMSEA and use, condition, and maintenance action indicators and histograms. Retrieval of to retrieve the collected data from the experienced by military vehicles in their data is accomplished through the use of an VMSEA memory. Other functions per- day-to-day operation. Data are collected off -board cassette unit which can also be formed by the DRE include determining used to modify the control software of the over a period of up to one month by an thehealthoftheon -vehicle VMS The data can then be unattended on -board monitoring unit and monitoring unit . assemblies and isolating faults, if required, are stored in a highly compacted digital analyzed by an off-line computer system to and recording results of special tests 1' extract information relating to vehicle form for later analysis. A multi -tasking requiringunusualoperator/ vehiclein- operating system enables the real-time design and performance, effectiveness of teraction that would not occur during monitoring of 18 digital and 25 analog maintenance programs and causes or normal operation. The DRE is intended to parameters. Data predefined as "non- precursors of vehicle component failures. be used by a special contact team. The second off -board unit, the maintenance - action input ( MAI), allows a mechanic to Incorporating microprocessor control into cost of operating and maintaining the land datacorrespondingtoany a data acquisition system provides ex- vehicle fleet. Data, collected by the VMS, enter maintenance performed on the vehicle. The tremelyflexiblecollection schemes. A describetheuse, condition and main- MAI unit would typically be kept at the record can be keptof anindividual tenance exposure of its host vehicle. The vehicle maintenance shop. parameter when it contains some special hardware consists of two on -vehicle and significance, or of a result summarizing a two off -vehicle units shown in Fig. I. critical relationshipamong several The VMSelectronicsassembly Data storage techniques parameters.TheVehicle Monitoring (VMSEA) and harness assembly are in- System (VMS)," developed for the Tank stalled on the vehicle. The harness contains The VMS monitors a selected set of vehicle Automotive Research and Development thetransducers and switches mstalled parameters and records significant events. Command (TARADCOM), was designed throughout the vehicle and is specific to the The recorded data can then be processed by by RCA on the basis of this principle. vehicle type. The VMSEA consists of an an off-line processing center to evaluate a The VMS isaresearch instrument RCA 1802 CMOS microcomputer system set of vehicle indicators that describe the currently installed in two military vehicles, and signal conditioning hardware. The operating historyof thevehicle. The the M35 21/2 -ton truck and the M113 functions performed by the VMSEA are parameters monitored consist of analog, armored personnel carrier, for the purpose determinedbythesoftware andare digital and pulse -train -type signals. All of collecting data to investigate the high redefined for different vehicles by changing the program. This is achieved by con- thedataretrievalequipment Under contract DAAK30-77-C-000k. sponsored h necting Reprint RE -25-3-7 the Defense Adsanced Projects Research Agency (DRE) to the VMSEA. The DRE contains Final manuscript received Sept. 25. 1979.

34 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Vehicle Monitoring System

JN MAINTENANCE SHOP PACKET VARI.1,LE LENGTH OPTIONAL MAI - USED EY MECHANIC FOR IDENTIFIER PARAMETER VALUE MAINTENANCE DATA ENTRY (PIDI T ME TAG

HARNESS I -RANSOUCEES SENSE PEW LE MAMMON Fig. 2. Data are stored as compressed packets.

events, data memory will contain the most recent high resolution data plus all the binned data.

VMSEA AUTOMATKALL, COLLECTS Maintenance -action data AND STOICS VEHICLE DATA

DREUSED IV CONTACT TEAM FOR INSTALLED IN VEHICLE Allocationofdatamemoryforthe DATA RETRIEVAL, NEPEOGIAMMINO, SPECIAL TWO AND MIEN CHECKOlr different forms of storage is shown in Fig. EEIItIOT4T 3. In addition to the current and packed Fig. 1. The hardware consists of two on -vehicle and two off - binning and high -resolution areas, there vehicle units. are areas for maintenance -action data, trip data and special test data. Maintenance - data, however, are encoded in digital for- according to the degree of resolution re- action data are composed of entries made mat for on -board processing and storage. quired. by the mechanic using the MAI, and Fifteen kilobytes of memory are dedicated include the hour the entry was made, a to storing processed data prior to transfer componentidentificationcode, a Bin storage to the DRE cassette unit.In order to maintenance -action code and number of compress all of the vehicle data generated Since most of a vehicle's operating profile man-hours taken to perform the during a nominal thirty -day period into a can be reconstructed adequately with lower maintenance. A separate storage area for memory of this capacity, a scheme was temporal resolution, data storage capacity MAI data insures that the high -resolution devised in which a portion of the data, is saved by "binning." A bin is a reserved data overwrite mechanism will not destroy particularly that surrounding a significant memory segment which records three types maintenance data. In the trip -data area, event, is retained in high resolution format accumulated time, event trip -summary information is recorded. A while a summary indicator of all of the data counts, and parametervalues. The trip is defined as an engine running with is retained in a "binned" format. numbers in each bin normally accumulate road speed present for at least two minutes. for one week, although this period can be Data stored per trip include: the time of adjusted downward by software. At the tripcompletion; duration of thetrip; High -resolution storage end of the binning period, new bins are average and maximum road speed and established and the old bins are com- exhaust gas temperature; and accumulated The high -resolution format consists of pressed to minimize storage requirements. road shock and vibrationleveldata. time -tagged data samples entered into Special test results share storage space with trip data. storage at the sampling rate and under the Overwrite conditional requirements peculiar to each Many of the functions relating to the parameter. Engine speed, for example, is All sampled data are actually entered into sampled at a 0.1 -second rate and, in the both high resolution storage and processed CURRENT BIN PERIOD UNPACKED absence of a uniform acceleration, is stored bin storage. High resolution data packets BIN PERIOD I wheneveritcrosses one of asetof BIN PERIOD1 are organized as a circular buffer. When PACKED thresholds which differ by 200 RPM. BIN PERIOD3 the memory capacity allocated to high BIN PERIOD 4 Should a uniform acceleration be detected, resolution storage isfilled, the memory MAINTENANCE ACTION DATA only the end points are recorded. contents are overwritten, starting again at Data are stored as compressed packets, the beginning of the buffer. Bin data for the TRIP DATA as shown in Fig. 2. These packets consist of first OR four binning periods (one month SPECIAL TEST DATA a fixed -length packet identifier (PID), a maximumtotalduration)arenever variable -length time tag, and an optional destroyed. When more than four binning HIGH RESOLUTION CIRCULAR parameter value. The PID indicates the periods occur, an additional fifth bin area HUFFER VEHICLE PARAMETER (OVERWRITE, particular parameter and the conditions will contain data for the most recent DATA under which the data were taken. The time (current) binning period. tag indicates the time at which the measure- The overwrite feature of high resolution FIXED LENGTH BLOCK (2048131E51 ment occurred, and varies in length ac- storage is automatically inhibited upon the cording to changes in a major increment occurrence of any of a set of predefined (hours, minutes, or seconds) of the time events. Should an inhibiting event occur, a since the previous packet. If the exact value predetermined amount of high resolution of the parameter is of interest, itis also datasurroundingthateventwillbe Fig. 3.Datamemoryisallocatedfor included in the packet and varies in length protected. In the absence of any inhibiting different forms of storage.

Goldstand: Software techniques for amicroprocessor -baseddata acquisition device 35 datastoragetechniques describedare readilyadjustable throughsoftware changes.

VMSEA hardware overview The VMSEA hardware was designed to

function without modification on any of its POINT SCAN PROCESSOR TASK intended host vehicles outfitted with the TASK proper harness. The hardware is tailored to aparticularvehiclethroughsoftware reconfiguration. The VMSEA contains an SCAN MA',A PACKING (OPERATOR ME ..I NT TABLE INPUT RCA 1802 microprocessor, 32 kilobytes of TABLE TAB: CMOS random-access memory (RAM) and a 256 -byte programmable read-only (<, AOt (cPACKING (A RETRIEVAL memory (PROM) used to perform the KEY, initial program load via the DRE cassette CONTROL unit. The VMSEA weighs less than 10 kg DATA 1::: OPERATING and is smaller than 13,000 cm.' It operates SYSTEM from vehicle power (10 to 32 volts), and consumes 15 watts while the vehicle is Fig. 4. Software handles data through acquisition, processing, compression, and transferral to cassette. running. An internal battery maintains the real-time clock and memory for at least two weeks in the event that the host vehicle quisitionphasetoruninreal-time, storage. Binning is done directly by the battery is removed. No vehicle parameters collecting up to four seconds of buffered point processing task, while data to be are monitored, however, in that condition. data. packed in the high -resolution area are Signals from the vehicle harness enter Figure 4 shows the four stages of data passed tothe memory managementtask the VMSEA through 40 input channels. handling by the software. Data are input via the high -resolution queue. Data from Dependent upon the nature of the signals, from the hardware by the acquisition stage, the queue as well as the current bin area are e.g., switch position, analog voltage, or and selected for storage in data memory by packed by this task and stored in the pulse train, they will pass through status the processing stage. Processed data may appropriate packed -data area. Upon com- register, analog multiplexed A/ D con- then be compressed by the packing stage mand from the DRE device, the DRE task verter, counters or interrupt circuitry. and are finally transferred to cassette by the moves the data from the data area to the retrieval stage. Thescantask reads raw cassette where they can then be transferred data from the hardware and stores it in the to an off -board computer system for Software approach raw data system buffer. Data are removed analysis. from the buffer by thepoint processortask The remaining two application tasks are The complexity of the data acquisition which decides which information must be peak detectandmode control.Peak detect function would not be possible without the saved either in bins or high -resolution finds the peak -battery current and cor- high level of control provided by the micro- processor and the associated software INTERRUPTED ID 2 CURRENT 0100 1100 ACTIVE 0000 woo system.Thelargenumberofinput TASK ID TASK TASK (TID, ROW 4 ROW channels and high -synchronous sampling TASK 2 tTASK6 TASK 5

ratesrequireanapproachmore TASK5 sophisticated than sequencing through the vehicle parameters one at a time, per- TASK 1 CONTROL BLOCKace. TASK 2 CONTROL BLOCK TASK 8 CONTROL BLOCK

forming tests on them and storing the PRIORITY MASK [X.80.1 PRIORITY MASK [X'401 PRIORITY MASK IX'011 result. The software was, therefore, struc- STACK POINTER (ST1 tured as six application tasks operating STACK POINTER (ST, !TACK POINTER (STI PROGRSM COUNTER (PC) under the control of a real-time multi- PROGRAM COUNTER (PC, PROGRAM COUNTER (K' LOWEST HIGHEST PRIORITY tasking operating system. PRIORITY Afterpassing through the VMSEA incomingvehicledatago hardware, SYSTEM STACK through four stages of software before TOP (SCRATCH AREA) finallybeing transferredtothe DRE CURRENT TASK. 2 X'08' TASK 5 PRIORITY cassette unit. These stages consist of: ( I) ACTIVE TASKS, 2,5, 6 TASK ID 5 SAVED STATE INTERRUPTED TASKS: 5 acquisition, (2) processing, (3) packing, USER LEVEL REGISTERS OF TASK 5 AT TIME OF and (4) retrieval. These stages are assigned SYSTEM LEVEL REGISTERS INTERRUPT tofour application tasks which com- municate with each other and with the incoming data stream via the operating Fig. 5. Functions, executing at the lower level, can only be pre-empted by level I interrupt system. This arrangement allows the ac - processing.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov.1979 36 respondingbatteryvoltagewhenthe starter is engaged. A separate task with a high priority was assigned to this function so that an immediate and virtually un- interrupted response could be made to this SE 1 event. Mode control monitors several key NO CLEAR vehicle parameters in order to set a sum- DON'T CLEAR RESCHEDULE mary vehicle state indicator, used by other i ENABLE ENABLE INTERRUPT tasks in interpreting vehicle parameters. YES INTERRUPT

SET INTERRUPT Operating system ROW BIT

YES Application tasks are selected and ex- SAVE USER REGISTER ON ecuted under supervision of the operating CLEAR SYSTEM STACK system. The operating system manages all INTERRUFT SAVE TASK ID ROW BIT AND PRIORITY system resources (e.g., A/ D converter), ON STACK intertask communication (e.g., raw data buffer), and priority control (scheduling). RESTORE TIC -T- AND USER lIOFINDPRRIHTyIGHEST These functions are performed by system REGISTERS FROM level subroutines, the scheduler, the in- SYSTEM STACK ACTIVE TASK .,_/-'DISABL terrupt handler, and the extended interrupt INTERRUPT handler. SET-UP PC ST SET AND TID FROM DON'T RESCHEDULE TCB

Scheduling DISABLE INTERRUPT A key element of the operating system is LEVEL 2 INTERRUPT the scheduler or priority -control program SERVICE which, in conjunction with the interrupt LEVEL 2 YES INTERRUPT handler, decides the next function to be SERVICE executed. There are ten levels of priority in RESTORE SYSTEM LEVEL the VMS: two operating system levels and REGISTERS eightlevelsof applicationtasks. The operating system has a higher priority than CLEAR SYSTEM all application tasks. The two operating FLAG AND system levels correspond to: (1) hardware DON'T RESCHEDULE interrupts disabled (highest priority), and (2) hardware interrupts enabled. Functions k GO TO executing at the lower level can only be pre- USER PROGRAM empted by level I interrupt processing (see VIA Fig. 5). These functions include extended INTERRUPT RETURN interrupt processing, system subroutine calls,andthetaskscheduleritself. Fig. 6. The current task is task 2, given by the current task identifier, which points to the task Removal of items from the interrupt control block of the current task. queue, however, executes at the higher operating system priority level (i.e., with block (TCB) for the individual task or in describes the algorithm in detail. The interrupts disabled). the system stack. The latter applies only to scheduler first checks to see if the current The task scheduler is entered whenever interrupted tasks. task had been interrupted and partially the interrupt queue is empty. It operates on Figure 6 shows a possible snapshot of the saved on the stack. If so, "don't reschedule" two lists or rows-the interrupt row and task status. The current or running task is has been set and a check is made to ensure the active row. Any task whichis a task 2, given by the current task identifier that the priority of the current task is still candidate for being run, including the task (TID), which points to the task control higher than all other active tasks. Usually, currently executing, is considered active. block of the current task. The active tasks thisis the case and the current task is The task actually running is also called the are2,5,and6,as indicated by the restored from the stack and continues current task. All active tasks have a bit, appropriate bits being set in the active row. execution. In the event that some other corresponding to their priority task, set in Task 5 had been interrupted during execu- active task does have a higher priority than the active row.If a task has been in- tion, and is, therefore, also listed in the the current task, the current task must be terrupted and pre-empted by a higher interrupt row. Its status at the time of the fully saved on the stack and placed in the priority task, it is placed in the interrupt interrupt is stored in the system stack. interrupt row. The scheduler then selects row in addition to the active row. Dynamic The scheduling algorithm selects the the highest priority task from the active information needed for each non -current highest priority task from a combination of row, restores its registers from the task's task is maintained in either the task control the active and interrupt rows. Figure 7 TCB, and makes it the new current task.

Goldstand Software techniques for a microprocessor -based data acquisition device 37 request for extended processing on the first and the conditions under which they are INTERRUPT in, first out interrupt queue. If the system stored. The ease of reprogramming the flag is set, indicating that the operating VMSEA assembly makes this a feasible system was in control at the time of the and reasonable approach. The general LIMITED interrupt, control is returned to the in- purpose hardware structure linked with PROCESSING terruptedroutine.Otherwise, both the microprocessor -controlledtailoringto SERVICE I/0 DEVICE AND system flag and "don't reschedule" are set, achieve specific goals makes the VMS a START-UP NEXT the current task status is partially saved on powerful and useful tool. The exploitation REQUEST the system stack, and control passes to the of microprocessor technology provides LONG beginningoftheextendedinterrupt adaptability andflexibility through SHORT software rather than hardware redesign. QUEUE handler. "Don't reschedule" indicates to EXTENDED the priority control routine that a task has Although presently implemented on only INTERRUPT been partially saved on the stack. The twovehicles,the VMS ispotentially extended handler removes a request for applicable to all classes of vehicles - land, V RETURN extended processing from the interrupt marine, and air - for both commercial and TO SET queue and performs the appropriate ac- military applications. LAST USER tion. This could include scheduling any waiting tasks which were readied by the SET SYSTEM FLAG interrupt. When the queue becomes empty, References the controlpassesto priority control I. Fineman, H.E., Fitzpatrick, T.E.. and Fortin. A.H.. SET DON'T program. "Simplified Automotive Test Equipment Through RESCHEDULE the Use of Advanced Electronics." NEREM 74 Record (Oct., 1974). 2. Hadden, S.C., Hanson. R.E., and Stewich, M.W., SAVE LAST USER ON Self -test features "Vehicle Monitoring System." The 26th Meeting of SYSTEM STACK the Mechanical Failure Prevention Group. Chicago, It is not reasonable to be able to repair a III. (May, 1977). ENAB E HARDWARE complex electronics system, such as the 3. Hanson. R.E. and Fischer. H.L.. "New Techniques INTERRUPTS for Automated Engine Diagnostics," Autotestcon VMS, in the field, by a service team, except '77. 0 by gross replacement of the VMSEA, [TASK 0.;MPTY 4. Yourdan. E.. Design of On-line Computer Systems, EXTENDED SCHEDULER Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs. N.J. (1972). INTERRUPT backup battery, transducers or harness assembly. The VMSEA, however, will conduct routine confidence tests to assess PROCESS EXTENDED its own health and that of the vehicle INTERRUPT harness assembly. Test results are acquired andstoredautomaticallyduringun-

RESCHEDULE attended operations. I/0 The results of confidence testing per- DEVICE formed during the most recent binning period can also be displayed on the DRE READY unit at the request of the operator. This DONE TASK enables him to make some on -the -spot corrections such as replacing a defective transducer or repairing a cable. A dummy Fig. 7. The scheduling algorithm selects the harness can be substituted for the actual highest priority task from a combination of the active and interrupt rows. harness assembly to determine if the fault persists even while the dummy harness supplies a known test signal. A self -test Interrupts routine used in conjuction with the dummy The operating system responds to events harness assistsin isolating faults to a occurring in real-time through a system of specific analog or digital channel of the interrupts. Possible interrupt sources in- harness. clude A / D outputavailable,vehicle Harvey Goldstand, a Senior Member at battery disconnected, and 40 -Hz timing RCA, Automated Systems, has worked in software developmentofsecurityand pulses. Figure 7 shows how an interrupt is Conclusion building management systems as well as processed. The response may be either non -electronic test equipment. He headed "short" or "long." A "short" response has The Vehicle Monitoring System has been the programming team and designed the no effect on priority control (i.e., task in operation since 1978 collecting data to executive for the Vehicle Monitoring System establish a data base for statistical analysis. andiscurrentlyinvolvedwithmicro- scheduling). After processing the interrupt, processor -based automated test equipment the handler returns control to the task (or It is expected to furnish data impacting the for the XM-1 tank. design, operation and maintenance policy extended interrupt) in progress at the time Contact him at: the interrupt occurred.lf, however, the of military vehicles. As a result of the Automated Systems interrupt could cause a waiting task to analysis, it may be desirable to modify the Burlington, Mass. become active, a "long" response places a nature of the exact vehicle data required Ext. 2176

38 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 A. Kaplan1D.L. Sherwood

MASS a modular ESM signal processor

Plug-in modules provide flexibility and efficiency for design evolution during the long development cycle and for future requirements of military systems.

dability. Throughput can be increased by Abstract:The long development cycle for plelely modular organization in which the inserting moreofexisting military systems, combined with the highly Ives and number of modules can be modules. Functional capability can be enhanced by dynamic environment in which they must selected to match the specific. application. developing new modules which are com- operate, present a major challenge to the Growth capability is provided by adding patible with the basic processor organiza- system designer-to design a system which modules for increased throughput or tion without any redesign. This type of will not be obsolete before it is fielded and developing new modules for increased organization provides an inherent fail -soft which can evolve after deployment to meet functional capability. The internal control operation. It fosters a variable configura- future operational requirements. This of the processor adaptively monitors the tion processor which can be used in many paper presents processing modules as part ofa differentapplicationswhile Electronic Support Measures (ESM) dynamic resource allocation function. retaining spares commonality. Functional objectives signal processor designed to meet this This, in turn. provides an inherent fail soft are:( I )real-time operation in the very challenge . The MASS processor ( Modular operation. Adaptive Signal Sorter) features a corn- dense signal environment that exists today, and wiE get worse in the future; (b) a comprehensive capability of handling both In addition to the demanding performance ment. This is one of the primary objectives time an1-1 frequency diversity signals which requirements that are imposed on ESM of the MASS processor, a state-ot-the-art will become more common in the future; systems by the very dense and complex generic ESM signal processor which RCA and (3) special emphasis on acquiring short signal environment that exists today and is developing under the sponsorship of the duration pop-up signals. A final objective that can only get worse in the future, the Electronic Warfare Laboratory of the U.S. in the MASS design is to demonstrate its capability for technology insertion. To do Modular Adaptive Signal Sorter (MASS) Army Electronics Research and Develop- has some unique requirements which ad- ment Command at Fort Monmouth, N.J. this, the processor is being designed for dress the realities of the military system implementation with custom VLSI devices to minimize the time required for advanced developmentprocess.Military systems technology to be incorporated infield mustundergo averylongresearch, MASS design objectives development, test and evaluation cycle equipment. before production begins and equipment Ten years ago it appeared that the required reaches the field. For Electronic Support flexibility could be provided by software Measures (ESM) systems, in particular- control of ESM systems implemented with Processor organization in which the operational problem is con- general purpose computers. Unfortunate- stantly changing-this long development ly, history has proved us wrong. Indeed, To place the MASS processor inthe cycle creates a problem: Systems can be the evolution of technology has reversed context of a total system, Fig. I outlines a obsolete by the time they are fielded. This this view. Today software has proven to be conceptual ESM system with an antenna poses a challenge to the system designer, to very inflexible and veryexpensive. setserving a wideband receiver which conceive system organizations which are Hardware is becoming less costly, and we measures for each pulse received: inherently capable of being upgraded to are learning how to use hardware modules monopulsefrequency,azimuth,pulse meet a constantly changing threat environ- in organizations which provide extreme width,time -of -arrival,and pulse flexibility. amplitude. This stream of monopulse data

Reprint RE -25-3-8 The MASS designis a processor is the input to the MASS processor. MASS Final manuscript received Sept. 17, 1979. organizationfeaturingplug-inexpan- reports processed data to the user, receives

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 39 MONO user control and priority information, con- PULSE DATA BUS IS MHO PULSE F RE SUE KY AZIMUTH trols the system front end, and in ECM HISTOGRAM applications provides real-time data to a DATA A jammer. 0 3 0 The MASS processor is organized as a C distributed architecture in which a set of AC OUISI 10 11ACQUISITIONXOT IC 111E TIIRACKERS OVERFLOW CONTROL PROCESSORS PROCESSORS I SUFFER parallelmicroprocessor -basedmodules operates between two data busses. One carries high speed pulse data, the other RECEIVER 0 0 0 0 0 0 ANTENNA< CONTROL carries control data. Figure 2 presents this CONTROL BUS IS MOM architecture...... FREQUENCY it HOPPER 0 0

SUPERVISOR LIBRARIAN Signal sorting and resource alloca- SINGLE tion SIGNALS : 0 USER MULTIPLE INTERFACE SIGNALS wit The first two modules in MASS are the CLOSE IN.. FREOUENCY ... frequency -azimuthhistogramandthe AND AZIMUTH

acquisition -control modules. These units AZMIUTH serve two functions in the processor. One is F g. 2. MASS organization. to provide first -level frequency -azimuth sorting of the signal data, and the other is Once this assignment has been made, the be used for scan analysis, or for detecting to provide a resource allocation function frequency -azimuth histogram, which has changes in emitter characteristics that oc- for the remaining modules. With a dis- been storing the data as the histogram curred after acquisition (i.e., PRF or scan tributed processing system such as this, builds, will transmit the data along the pattern). They can also be used to detect there must be some rationale for assigning pulse databusswiththe appropriate new signals that come up within the signals to the various modules. In MASS, sorting tag appended to the data block. designated frequency -azimuth cell after the the distribution of signals in frequency - Only the module which has been assigned acquisition processor has completed its azimuth space is used as a basis for making that sorting tag would accept the data off function on that cell. The tracker can also this assignment. the buss and will accept all subsequent be preset to the parameters of specific Withthismethodofcontrol,the pulses with that sorting tag. The frequency - signal types for warningreceiver processor is adaptive to a highly variable azimuth -histogram module alsohas a applications. signalenvironment.Theacquisition - blocking mode to exclude data from cells control module monitors the histogram as that were previously processed and to it builds. It assigns frequency -azimuth cells prevent high pulse rate signals such as pulse Support functions or groups of cells to individual acquisition doppler from saturating the processor. The overflow buffer and BITE are two processors, based on the pattern which modules that do not contribute to the develops, or, if necessary, to the exotic Signal time -domain analysis and functional capability of the processor but processors. In the histogram that is shown, that are essential to its proper operation. the group of cells on the left is typical of tracking The overflow buffer serves to even out the what would be perceived for single signals The acquisition and exotic processors per- data rate to the various processors. A radar that are separable using only frequency and form time -domain analysis of the signals signal environment is highly variable in its azimuth. The group of cells at the bottom is whichhavealreadybeensortedin short term data rate. There can be as much a pattern that would be seen for multiple frequency -azimuth space. Their function is as 4:1 ratio between short-term, peak -data signals that are close in frequency and to separate multiple interleaved signals, if rateandtheaverage -datarate.The azimuth and which must be deinterleaved necessary, and to characterize each one in processor is designed for the average -data in the time domain. The pattern on the terms of its time -domain characteristics. rate and during these short term peaks, rightis what would be perceived for a Once pulsetrainsareseparated,the pulses will be captured in the overflow frequency hopper. Based on these patterns, monopulse measurements of frequency buffer. When the peak is over, they will be the acquisition -control module will assign and azimuth can then be combined to retransmitted to the modules. Built in test sorting tags to cells or groups of cells and improve the accuracy of these parameters is an essential feature for any system. In pass these sorting tags to the appropriate when they are reported. The algorithms this architecture, BITE is a continuous acquisition processor or exotic processor. selected for these functions are discussed function activated whenever the processor later in the paper. is less than 50% loaded. TheBITEmodule REALTIME generates test -signal data and transmits r-- DATA TO The trackers perform several functions JAMMER in the processor. A common element of all them over the pulse -data bus to the module MONOPULSE WIDE PR SSE 0 signal DATA DATA of these functionsisthe separation of undertest.By monitoring the BAND RECE IV MASS USER reports out of that module, the BITE ER FREQUENCY CONTROL individualsignals from the composite AZIMUTH PULSE WIDTH signalreceived,basedonsignal module can rapidly complete a rigorous PULSE AMPLITUDE functional go/no go test. TIME Of ARRIVAL characteristics provided by the acquisition filehandling Fig. 1. MASS In a conceptual ESM system. processors. Once separated, these data can The librarian provides

40 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 PULSE DATA BUS tures have to be capable of being upgraded Time- and frequency -diversity and evolving to meet future requirements. signals The pulse -data buss at the top of the PULSE DATA INTERFACE diagram carries high speed pulse data with To illustrate the power of this technique, a 32 -bit word length and 8 -MHz clocking Fig. 4 presents some typical histogram II II rate to provide a total data rate of 256 patterns of the time difference (delta T) SPECIAL megabits per second. The control buss at between successive pulses of various radar MICROPROCESSOR FUNCTION <> UNIT the bottom operates with a narrower word signalsA signalwith astable PRF length and lower clocking speed. produces a single line in the histogram. A staggered signal has multiple lines in the histogram. A signal with a high degree of CONTROL INTERFACE Module hardware organization time diversity produces a random, but bounded pattern. CONTROL BUS Most of the modules have a common Note that jitter on the stable signal or the hardware organization. They vary only in Fig. 3. Common module organization. stagger signal broadens the lines, but they the particular ROM firmware which is are still automatically recognizable. Figure used with the module and in the amount of 5 shows additional analysis that can be memory employed. Figure 3 presents this done on the time -diversity pattern. By organization. These modules consist of calculating the derivative of delta T and four main elements. They are the pulse data STABLE PRF generating a histogram of these values, L__ interface, the control buss interface, a uniquerecognizablepatternsfor common microprocessor, and a special triangular, and sinusoidally modulated function unit configured to optimize per- PRI can be detected. For signals which 111111111111141111111111 formance for the types of pulse data exhibit frequency diversity, this same type processing required for MASS. The pulse of processing can be applied to the frequen- data interface and control interface will be Fig.4. Histogramsoftimedifference cy data. An important feature of this between successive pulses. common to all modules that are used in method is that it uses the stability of the MASS. This is a fundamental requirement histogram to govern its operation. It will capability for the processor. It typically has of modularity. All of them use the same not report a measurement until the pattern a file of signal characteristics to use in microprocessor; however, the amount and satisfies a consistency test. With a simple signal recognition and also maintains a file type of memory varies from one to another. stable PRF, this occurs with only a small of the current active signal environment. number of pulses. A time -diversity signal The supervisor performs high-level control memory. The tracker has a smaller, but requires a larger number. This feature of the processor, communicates finished much faster memory. The acquisition provides several important benefits. For reports to the user, and controls the front modules utilize the special function unit. stable signals, which comprise the majority end of thesystem.Italso monitors of thesignal environment today,the processor status. When power is turned on, Processing algorithms algorithm is very fast and efficient. For the supervisor polls all of the physical card complex signals, the algorithm adapts to slotsto determine which modules are In evaluating the various algorithms that the complexity of the signal and continues installed and operative. This status infor- are available for signal acquisition and processing untilit can report a reliable mation is continuously updated by the measurement, it was concluded that the measurement. Both frequency and time - BITE results. If a failure is detected, the extremeflexibilityin thehardware diversity signals will increase in importance processor continues to operate with the organization must be complemented by inthe future. This type of histogram remaining modules, providing a graceful flexibility in processing algorithms. The processing provides the flexibility for deal- degradation of system capability. mostpowerful and flexibletechnique ing with new signals which will enter the The final two modules in the system are available and the one which will provide environment in the future. the two busses themselves. To achieve true the most growth capability in the future is modularity in the system, the buss struc- based on histogramming.

LI 0 HISTOGRAM FIRST LEVI .L

SECOND LEVEL at

THIRD LEVEL

IxTRACTE>SIGNAL

Fig. 5. Time diversity histogram analysis. Fig. 6. H stogram deinterleaver.

Kaplan Sherwood MASS-a modular ESM signal processor 41 Can any problem be solved by a computer? A popular conception is that with are obeyed by a device called a enoughspeed and memory any Turing machine. Since the Turing problem can be solved by a computer. machineis operated by a human Like any other technology, there are being who carries out an algorithm, theoreticallimitations on a com- the Turing machine may be con:ep- puter'scapabilities. Before any tualized as having an infinite paper problem can be solved by a computer tape that is divided into squares that itmust first be translated into an contain one symbol each from a finite algorithm.Algorithmsarethe alphabet of symbols. necessary procedures that are used The Turing machine can read or in programming a computer. They are write a symbol onto a square of the the set of instructions that tell the tape by means of a head thatis computer how to perform an opera- directly over the square. The head tion. may be moved right orleft,one An algorithm is a set of rules that square at a time, to place the head Al Kaplan, seated, and Dave Sherwood review a MASS printout. preciselydefines a sequenceof over any square. Aside from the tape operations in such a way that each memory, the Turing machine con- Al Kaplan is Manager, Advanced Programs rule is effective and definite and that tains one other cellthat holds a in GCS Special Systems. Throughout his the sequence terminates in a finite symbolcalledthestateofthe career, he has focussed on the development time. Many attempts have been made machine. This symbol is taken from a of state of the art real time systems using independently to mathematically finite alphabet that is different from advanced signal processing technology. These systemshaveincluded weapon characterize the class of functions the tape alphabet. The algorithm for guidance, ballistic missile defense, air traffic computable by algorithm. There are the Turing machine consists of a set control and command and control systems problems where mathematicians of rules that define tape operations, as well as his current activities in ESM, ECM have proved that itis impossible to head movement, and change of state. and intelligence systems. construct an algorithm for their solu- The state of the machine tells which Contact him at: tion. instructionthe Turing machineis Special Systems Government Systems Div. The early descriptions of algorithm carrying out at any given time The Camden, N.J. givenbyresearcherscanbe Turing machine actions are Ext. 2540 categorized in three ways. The first is determined completely by rules that abstract computing machines such specify the actions to be taken for Dave Sherwoodisa Senior Engineer in as the Turing machine. The second is each possible observed symbol and Advanced Programs, GCS Special Systems, a formal construction of computing each possible state. responsible for the detailed system design procedures such as the Thue system. The Turing machine is a tool for of MASS. In the past, he has been responsi- ble for the design and integration of air- The third is a formal construction that evaluating whether a problem is com- borne, ground, and naval ELINT and ECM yields classes of functions such as putable. The limitations imposed by Systems. Recently, he has focussed his recursive functions. noncomputable problems have not activities primarily on digitalsystem TheTuring "machine" is an yet hindered the widespread applica- architectures and signal processing tech- niques fordistributedmicroprocessor abstractmathematical model that tionofcomputers,butlikeall systems. gets its name from A.M. Turing, who technologies, as greater levels of per- Contact him at: introduced the idea in 1936 in a paper formance are sought, these Special Systems on the theory of computation. The theoretical limits will ultimately have Government Systems Div. Turing machine algorithmis com- to be faced. Camden, N.J. posed of rules of a restricted set that B.L.S. Ext. 3907

Signal deinterleaving used as trial values for examining the data the field. It is a distributed microprocessor and evaluating single -signal histograms. architecture, designed to handle a very This same type of histogram processing can These histograms can be built in parallel dense signal environment in real time with also be used for signal deinterleaving as for maximum throughput. An extensive particular focus on exotic signal handling. illustrated in Fig. 6. The first line shows the analysis of these algorithms has been per- Itfeatures extreme flexibilityinboth noise -like appearance of the histogram of formed. They provide both extreme flex- hardware organization and in processing the delta Ts of multiple interleaved signals. ibilityindeinterleaving multiple time - algorithms. However, by calculating the second level diversity signals and efficiency in handling The plug-in modularity of MASS is an difference (the time difference between stable signals. effective approach to assuring that our every other pulse) and adding itin, then field forces are equipped with the most calculatingthethirdleveldifference modern processing equipment available, (between every third pulse) and adding it Summary despite the long development cycle for in,etc., individual lines emerge in the military systems. histogram which correspond to the most MASS isa modular design specifically common delta Ts that are seen. These are configured to support system evolution in

42 Kaplan/Sherwood: MASS-a modular ESM signal processor D.R. Carley

Microprocessors in automotive electronics

Automatic Placement and Routing allows the customer to design engine -control logic based on standard cells while reducing development time.

will have microcomputers in at least some Memory(ROM)changes;hardware Abstract:Emission and fuel efficiency models in the 1980 model year. Much more changes are not usually needed. In some requirements have accelerated the use of extensive use is planned in the 1981 model systems, the required modifications for electronics in engine control. Analog vs. year. different engine parameters can be done digital, and NMOS vs. CMOS devices are with Programmable Read -Only Memory compared for use in engine -control (PROM). systems. The RCA integrated -circuit layout, Automatic Placement and Routing Engine control systems- (A PA R), which interconnects standard analog or digital logic cells by a computer to provide a NMOS vs. CMOS custom design, is discussed. The use of Many of the earlier solid state designs for engine control used analog techniques. There area numberofdifferent microprocessors in two system examples is applications for microprocessors in the demonstrated. The conclusion points our This was a natural starting place due to the successfulexperienceinentertainment automobile, each withits own special the future expanded usage of micro- requirements. The largest usage in the processors in automotive electronics. applications and the analog nature of many of the signals needed for the engine to United States will be in engine control control the combustion process. Some applications. To the usual microprocessor analog -based systems for spark timing selection criteria of architecture, support Electronic -based systems are becoming in- parts and developmental aids, must be creasingly important in automobiles. The control were put into production; however, addedthedifficult environmental and requirements forbetter fuel efficiency, most newer systems use digital techniques. reliability needs of automotive mandated emission standards, and the This evolution toward digital is due to a number of factors: applications. Today'sautomotive demand for more sophisticated driver in- processors are built using either NMOS or formation and display systems have all led Digital LSI technology is evolving rapid- CMOS technology. Figure Ishows the to a rapid increase in solid state device ly; relativeLSIcapability usage. The most powerful systems are ofthetwo Digital systems are less sensitive to supply technologies; note that NMOS has had a based on microprocessors. voltage and temperature variation; significant lead in but the Solid state devices were first successfully Precision adjustment and timing are not advent of SOS technology has narrowed used in radios, followed by power control required; and the gap. applications such as breakerless ignition, alternator diodes and electronic voltage Broader systemdesign tolerances are possible. regulators.Integrated circuits got their The advantages of CMOS startin seat belt interlock circuits and This trend to digital has led to two automotive clocks. These early system approaches: standard, or more CMOS has several important performance applications showed that solid state devices usually custom, integrated circuits for aadvantages over NMOS. TableI sum- are reliable and cost-effective solutions to specific well-defined function; and micro- marizesthedifferences. Of particular automotive problems. The emission and processor -based systems for more complex significance is that it has the best noise fuel efficiency requirements in effect in the systems. immunity of any LSI technology, low United States have accelerated the use of The basis for use of a microprocessor is power consumption and wide operating electronics in engine control. All of the its flexibility. The system capability is easy voltage range as well as the ability to major manufacturers in the United States to expand by increasing the memory and operate from -65 to +125°C. These factors occasionally adding additional input/out- contribute to improved system reliability. Reprint RE -25-3-9 put capability. Different engine needs can The noise immunity and operating voltage Final manuscript received Aug. 18, 1979. bemetbysoftware andRead -Only range make CMOS more tolerant of

RCA -Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 43 1981 4517 1980

1979 161( VMOS 1978 4020 1833 p 1LMOS 1802 4K / 1977 m" cuts' DP a 1976 SOS NMOS t.s 1975 C 5 1974 4008 51d- NMOS v.0 x3 1973 Si Gale 0. 1972 NMOS

1971

1970 4015 4'64/ PMOS 1969 sql' m,e 10.000 10 100 1000 100.000 Complexity Gates Flip Timekeeping Flops Buffers Memory Micro. Small RAMs Shift processorsMicrocomputer Large Reg. Counters Memory Complex Timekeeping

Fig.1. NMOS leads in transistor count, but SOS technology narrows the gap.

Fig. 2. The C)P 1804 is the most advanced CMOS microcom- automotive voltage transients and low puter developed by RCA. voltage during cold start and make it resistant to noise pulses. The low power consumptionandhighmaximum custom I/O circuit. Expansion is easily APAR layout operatingtemperaturemake CMOS accomplished since additional memory devices cooler and typical operation is may be added with no interface circuits I his technique, called Automatic Place- further away from the maximum permissi- (Fig. 3). ment and Routing (APAR), is based on a ble temperature for any ambient large number of standard logic cells that temperature. This reduction in maximum are placed and interconnected by a com- junction temperature contributes directly Custom I/O development puter. The advantages of this technique to improved long term reliability; it also are: (1) the customer can design the logic allows location of CMOS systems in the For most engine control systems it will be based on the standard cells much the way enginecompartmentratherthanthe necessary to. develop a special purpose he would produce a breadboard with passenger compartment or somewhere in a interface circuit for added logic capability packaged ICs; and (2) the total develop- body cavity. This alleviates problems with and to provide adequate real-time response ment time is significantly reduced with a ground loops and simplifies connector and an interface to the various sensors and high probability of working samples on the construction as well as minimizing lead outputs. In general, this interface circuit is first pass. lengths. Mounting the electronic packages different for each customer and incor- The present standard cell library consists in the engine compartment also minimizes porates special features and circuitry that of over 60 cells of logic functions, layout packing redesign due to body styling are proprietary to each user. RCA has geometries such as interconnecting changes. developed an automated integrated circuit tunnels, bond pads, high current drivers A second order advantage of the wide layout capability that has proven to be very and some special cells for automotive temperature and voltage rangeisthe successful in producing custom LSI cir- applications such as voltage comparators capability to operate devices during life cuits. and analog switches. Each logic cell has a testing and burn -in at accelerated con- ditions.Acceleration factors of 50-100 Table I.Comparison of NMOS and CMOS performance. times can be obtained by the combination of increased voltage and temperatures. Characteristic CMOS NMOS This acceleration allows quick reliability I. Quiescent power 1 - 100 µwatts 100- 1500 milliwatts evaluation of new processes and designs. SSI to LSI MSI - LSI

2. Operating power @ 1 MHz 1 -100 milliwatts 100 -1500 milliwatts A CMOS microcomputer SSI - LSI MSI - LSI The most advanced CMOS microcom- puter developed by RCA is the 1804 micro- 3.Noise immunity 30% of supply voltage 10%ofsupply voltage computer. It is an 8 -bit CMOS/ SOS device that has a powerful instruction set, 2-K 4. Supply voltage range 5 ± 20% 5 ±5% bytes of ROM and 64 -bytes of RAM; the 8 ± 50% 5 ± 10% 3 -20 total transistor count is approximately 32,000 (Fig. 2). For most engine control 5. Temperature range -55°C to 125°C 0-70°C systems only two LSI circuitswill be -55° to 125°C special selection needed, the 1804 microcomputer and a

44 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 and interconnection and generation of the I- Memo y Address Bus I test program. rah INT DP11104 -= Clank The output of the APAR run is checked r-- 7 Throttle 4.J Posaon for design rule violations and a check plot Eel 204: EF1 ROM I 1-1 4 Vacuum isprepared. There are generally some ROM 4 I/0 Coolant Ten p L__J I IC Und manual modifications made to reduce the 4 } other Indult CPU I-- 64 overall die size using interactive graphic Eel O- Ignition RAN 6 _J RAM equipment. The final file is used to drive L__ J." Fuel -0. Other OulpiAs electron beam mask -making equipment to Timer Count.. produce the required photomasks. Follow- Internal Data Eus ing conventional wafer processing, the test program generated via the data base is used to check functionality. F.ternal Data Ties 1 Since the process is fully computerized Fig. 3. Expansion of the 1804 microcomputer -based engine control system is accomplished after generation of the logic diagram, the easily. process isfastanderror -free. The throughput time is largely determined by fixed height of 315 microns, the width of and their interconnections into the com- queuing and is approximately 1/4 of the the cell depends on the complexity of the puter data base. This common data base is time required for a layout using con- logic function and varies from 60 to 400 used for logic simulation, cell placement ventional drafting procedures. microns. The connections to the cell are made at the top and bottom of each cell. FOUR - INPUT NOR Figure 4 shows a typical cell layout. C2L STANDARD CELL NO 1140 Devices 8 Pads 5 Cell Width- 5 6 rods APAR design process The design process, using the library, is straightforward. There is a data sheet for each cell(Fig.5)that gives the logic function, cell interconnection data, and basic performance. The integrated circuit is then configured using the cell library by the logic designer. The next step in the process is to enter information defining the cells LOGIC EQUATION

P

TRU-I-1 TABLE CELL I0 CAPACITANCE VALUES

A B C D X PIN CAPACITANCE 1pF I

0 0 0 0 1 1 687 2 643 All other input 3 656 combinations 0 4 673 5 753

MP20 INFORMATION

ELEM PIN P114 DIST DIST CAP NO.NO PEAS TOP BOT

1140 4 4 687 1140 12 12 643 1140 3 28 28 656 1140 4 36 36 673 1140 5 44 44 753 1140 6 56 0 126

Fig. 4. The connections to the APAR logic Fig. 5. A data sheet, for each APAR cel , gives the logic function, cell interconnection, and cell are made at the top and bottom. basic performance.

Carley: Microprocessors in automotive electronics 45 Conclusion Interfaces u Power Stages Reference The presentneedsof enginecontrol Mark Power Osc Supply (Clock, systems vary from 25,000 to 50,000 devices

Engine Ignition which are usually contained in several On1-1 Ignition Speed Coil packages. As more functions are added, for 0 CPURAM Power instance anti -knock, cruise control, idle Mass Air Rom - Flow Stage !Ji speed andtransmissioncontrol,the number of transistors needed will be in- Intake Air Temperature". Fuel InjectionInjectors creased toward 100,000. In such systems Power most of the transistor count is concentrated Digital Stage Engine Coolant Processing in the memory with one transistor per bit in Temperature the program memory and five or six per bit Battery in the read/ write memory. As an example, Voltage with program memory of 7-K words and Engine Status SUL, RELAYS Fuel Pump 256 bytes of read/ write memory, a total Switch SignalsVL 1 memory transistor count of about 70-K Additional transistors would be needed. Switch Sign.0-,is The continual improvementinLSI J - technology will be used to increase the reliability of the system. Automotive users Fig. 6. Block diagram of Bosch engine -control system. will not continue to be at the leading edge of LSI complexity in terms of number of APAR device simplicity circuitasaguide andis,therefore, transistors. simplified. CMOS is an ideal technology for computer layout. All static circuitry is used; dynamic clockingandmultiphaselogicdesign System examples procedures usually used in N MOS are not necessary. The current levels are low, and Microprocessors are now used in several race conditions are avoided so that cell production engine control systems. Figure placement and node loading do not affect 6 shows a block diagram of a system the logic functionality. Maximum clock developed by Robert Bosch GmbH used by frequencies of approximately 5 MHz may Bayrische Motoren Werke AG (BMW). be used at 5 volts. This system controls both fue' injection The upper limit of device complexity and the ignition. It is based on the RCA usingthistechniqueiscurrentlyap- 1802 microprocessor with standard proximately 3000 transistors in a random program and read/ write memories, and an logic configuration. The size consumed per APAR input/output chip designed jointly transistor is approximately 10,000 by RCA and Bosch. The precise amount of microns, about 1.6 times that needed in a fuel and the correct spark timing are hand -packed layoutinthe same determined by the information received technology. Thus, the die cost is somewhat from the sensors. higher. A second example is a system developed Completed circuits are then used to by Chrysler Corporation to control spark Don Carley joined RCA in 1957 and initially check out the design in the automobile. timing based on six different inputs. The had responsibilityinrf power transistor development.In1971,he movedinto Generally, there is substantial time system uses only four LSI parts, the 1802, a integrated -circuitoperations and subse- between design verification and the start of standard RAM and ROM and a custom quently held a number of positions in that production; however, if there is not, APAR APAR chip. An interesting feature of this area, including Manager, CMOS Engineer- circuits can be produced in substantial system is that it contains a small PROM ing and Manager, Microprocessor Applications. He is presently involved in quantities for production. thatcan handle4, cylinder 6 and 8 automotive IC development. If time allows, the fully proven APAR applications as well as allowing for some Contact him at: circuit may be redone using manual tech- change in engine control constants. The Solid State Division niques to achieve smaller die size. This system is mounted in the air intake to the Somerville, N.J. manual layout is done using the APAR air cleaner under the hood. Ext. 6810

46 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 W.D. Henn

Alarm status monitoring and reporting

Globcom solves communication alarm status monitoring by incorporating an easy to maintain microprocessor - controlled system.

must of necessity maintain its many com- grade or reconfigure their own data com- Abstract:Globcom needed to improve munications circuits at a high level of munications networks. The resulting con- and update its alarm status monitoring operating efficiency. These circuits may fusion only served to further reduce the system. This paper describes how this comprise many individual links, consisting circuit operating efficiency by virtue of problem was solved by using a AP - of the communications channel and the increased down time. There had to be a controlled system. It points out the types necessary data transmission equipment better way. of tasks and requirements that were such as time and frequency division mul- necessary for improvement and updating tiplexers, high-speed modems, etc. This and why a ALP was the logical solution to equipment contains a certain amount ofThe solution the problem. The features and capabilities circuitrydedicatedtomonitoringthe of the system that was implemented are operating status of the equipment itself or The solution to the problem is well within described. The simplicity of software and the quality of the data being received from the realm of AP capability since, in an hardware maintenance is revealed. the distant end. The outputs from these overall view, the task definition seems circuits are brought out to front -panel relatively simple from a functional stand- indicators called alarms. point. This design of a AP -controlled Alarm The requirements for a system that will Status Monitoring System is based on the Themajorportionofthedata - transmission equipment is located in an be able to efficiently handle the reporting knowledge gained through the implemen- of alarm status information both for the tation of two prototype systems presently operatingareacalleda "Technical Operating Control Center" or TOCC. present Globcom operating system and the in use at Globcom. forseeable future are as follows: The first system, a basic Alarm PointThese TOCCs are located throughout the Scannerwithoutoperatorinteractive Globcom system at such places as San 1. The system must be capable of monitor- software,provedthefeasibilityand Francisco, Washington, Miamiand ing the alarm outputs of the present usefulness of such an approach and has Piscataway, with the largest presently in equipment and report changes of alarm been in operation for almost two years in New York. status to one or more locations on a the main operating area in New York. In an early effort to centralize these selective basis. The second system, designed with built- alarms, the larger TOCCs extended the 2. The report must include the new status, in sensors for alarm testing of government alarms to an indicator panel where the the identification of the alarm by circuit circuits and including operator interactivi- operating staff could monitor them. identifier; the time and date of status ty,wasinstalledatthecompany's This arrangement was viable in the early change and perhaps the physical loca- operatingcenteratPiscataway, Newdays when the volume of traffic was low tion of the equipment being monitored. Jersey, in August of 1977. and the operating staff could take the time The system design to be discussed incor- necessary to monitor this display panel and 3. In order to assist in overall management poratesconcepts from bothof these log in the equipment problems as they of the network, certain alarm points can systems and willbe installedat both occurred. Unfortunately, the pressure of be grouped together to form a major locations in October of this year. today's communications world does not status message which would be routed allow for all the the time necessary to to a circuit management group to in- properlyobservetheinformation dicatethestatus of a major com- The problem presented in these tabular displays. To munications facility such as a submarine further complicate the situation, the circuit cable or a satellite channel. In order to maintain its leadership as an designators associated with each alarm internationalrecordcarrier,Globcom might be in error due to the frequent 4. The system should be able, at some later

Reprint RE -25-3-t0 changes in circuit configurations which are date, to be interconnected via a large Final manuscript received Aug. 16. 1979. commonplace today as our customers up- computer network to similar systems in

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 47 PROCESSOR UNIT other TOCCs. This would enable an overall survey of the operating system status to be made on a real-time basis 4 CHANNEL SSC 80/20 and correlation of circuit faults between SERIAL I/O VO LINES FOR MICROPROCESSOR MODULE uP TO SERIAL TOCCstoassistinfault-finding PRINTER operations. Since the requirements include a high :686 TES SYS EM degree of flexibility in configuration in CORE MEMORY POWER order to maintain compatibility with future alarm monitoring systems, a hard -wired logic approach was not taken. The decision MUX CONTROL ANO STATUS to base the development of the system on AP technology was made as a solution.

/ 64 ALARM INPUTS PER System capability LIP TO 512 CARD ALARM INPUTS FROM MON,TORE and features EQUIPMENT Thisalarm statusmonitoringand reporting systemhasthe capacity to monitor up to 512 alarm points in expan- MULTIPLEXER UNIT sion increments of 64 points. The expan- Fig. 1. Alarm points are extended to a common point where they are sampled by a digital sionis accomplished by simply adding multiplexer. input multiplexer cards, providing the external alarm point wiring and entering the additional alarm point identifiers via the system console. The filecontaining the alarm point

GENERATE identifiers is located in core memory in NE XT order that no data will be lost in the event ADDRESS of a power outage. In addition to this ID file, a power down software routine saves SEND all the system registers, status tables and ADDRESS ram scratch pad areas in core to insure data TO MUX integrity upon restoration of power. As a double safety feature, provision is INPUT also made to save the ID file on magnetic ALARM STATUS tape cassette by means of a service routine available to the operator and a cassette transport which is a part of the control console. By this means, the ID file is saved forlaterreloadingshouldasystem malfunction cause a complete or partial loss of data. The alarm status reports can be output to any one or combination of four data stations including the control console. Each data station consists of a hard -copy ST ORE STORE STATUS STATUS printer and keyboard. Information is 8 -bit + TIME ASCII -encoded data, serially transmitted at a 300 -bit per second rate over a 20 ma TRANSMIT COMPUTE loop. FAILURE OUTAGE MESSAGE TIME System functional TRANSMIT RE STORAL description MESSAGE The Data Transmission equipment alarm points for the area to be monitored are extended to a common point where they Fig. 2. The system program provides the "intelligence" for determining the status of the are scanned or sampled in sequence by a alarm points. digital multiplexer under software control

48 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 System implementation Summary

Because of the low -volume nature of this Inretrospect, this problem lent itself to application and the need for ease of system solution by a AP -controlled system because expansion andreadilyavailable spare a large amount of flexibility was required parts, the system was implemented on a in system operation by virtue of necessary modular basis using, for the most part, off - changes in the alarm point ID file. the -shelf hardware. A spin-off benefit of the system data bus The system uses only four module types: architectureisthe avoidance of system CPU, I/O, Memory and an in-house obsolescence. The system hardware can designed input multiplexer, housed in two readily be used as part of a future expan- rack -mounted chassis (Fig. 3). sion program or supplemented with other available module types for an entirely new These modules are interconnected via a configuration. data bus for which many manufacturers Equipment alarm systems that were are presently supplying cards to support previously impractical to design because Fig. 3. 1The system is contained in two rack - various functions such as serial and parallel they were either too complicated to be cost- mounted chassis. data I/O, disc controllers, A/ D and D/ A effective,orsorudimentaryintheir interfaces, etc. reportingcapabilityastobealmost (Fig.1).The system program (Fig.2) worthless are now possible for the design provides the "intelligence" necessary toSoftware maintenance engineer to implement due to the availabili- determine if the status of each particular ty of AP technology. alarm point has changed since the last It was previously mentioned that an alarm sample. If the status is the same, the next point, once given an identifier, does not pointis sampled.If the statusis now necessarily keep that identifier forever. determined to have changed, the direction Due to changing customer requirements, of change is noted and the appropriate which necessitate the reconfiguring of the messageisoutput to the proper datadata communications links,it becomes terminal or terminals as the case may be. necessary to re -identify the alarm points. For example,if the alarm point now The prime factor in determining the indicates a failure, when on the previous usefullness of a system once it has been put sample it had displayed a normal state, ainto operation is the ease with which the programmed wait cycle is entered, during operating personnel can interact with the which time the alarm point is sampled on a system so that it can be modified to keep regular basis. If upon exit from this cycle, pace with changes in the operating con- the alarm point still indicates a failure, a figuration. message consisting of the word 'failure,' the For this system, we have chosen to date and time, the alarm point identifier implementthis man/ machine interface and the equipment location is sent to the through the use of an English -language appropriate data terminal. interactive operating system. This system At the time when an alarm point in- leads the operator through the necessary dicates a return to normal, a similar steps to update the alarm point identifier sequence is initiated resulting in a message file, to set the real-time logging clock, to re- indicating a 'restoral' for a particular alarm group alarm points and to determine the point together with the time and date of destination of the status messages. Even restoral and the number of minutes elapsed the uninitiated can call up a synopsis of the since the failure occurred. entiresystemoperating procedure by William D. Henn, is a Principal Member of For those alarm points that are also entering the letters "H E L P" from the the Engineering Staff, Advanced Develop- members of a, group for circuit manage- keyboard of the control console. ment & Design Group, RCA Global Com- ment purposes, a separate record is kept of munications,Inc., New York, N.Y. From 1966 to 1968, he was at the RCA Advanced their status and if all members of that Communications Laboratory in New York group indicate a failed status, a message so Hardware maintenance City,when he joined the Advanced Design indicating is output to a data terminal in Group at Globcom and was assigned to the circuit management area. The hardware may be maintained at least tasks involving digital tape buffer design and alternate voice/data controllers.In Inadditiontothesespontaneous down to the card level in the field by means 1972, he was given the television camera reports, an overview of the system status is of low-cost,commerciallyavailable designresponsiblity for the Videovoice available at any time upon request from automatictestequipment.Diagnostic communications system and is presently any of the data terminals. This report lists software for this equipment isreadily working on applying microprocessor all of those alarm points presently in a written at the engineering level allowing technology to data communications. failed state together with the number of many aspects of the system to be tested via Contact nim at: Global Communications minutes that have elapsed since detection a single interconnection through the CPU New Yo7<, N.Y. ofafailed state. socket of the system under test. Ext. 356E

Henn: Alarm status monitoring and reporting 49 A. AbramovichA.K. Patel

Microcomputer system design for remote process control

Microcomputer -controlled energy management provides efficient use of energy -related resources, reduced downtime for maintenance and unlimited flexibility in terms of functional implementation, interface requirements and a simpler design.

Automation of such an HVAC system Abstract:A microcomputer -based Energy description of the hardware implementa- 11anagement System has been incor- would supply RCA with useful and impor- tion. porated at the RCA Service Company tant information as to the benefits which facility in Cherry Hill. The operating can berealized.These benefits could requirements for such a system and the manifest themselves in terms of improved System description operating efficiency and reduced operating hardware that is used for its implementa- costs.Inaddition, tion are described. A central micro- avehiclewillbe The computer energy management system provided to conduct long-term studies in computer is the heart of the system and is (CEMS) (Fig.1)is configured with a the areas of energy management, algorithm based on an Intel SBC80/ 20single -board central processor located in the boiler computer. The remote processor, which optimization and hardware development. room in Bldg. 205. The operator com- The system to accomplish these goals is communicates climate -control data to the municates with the central processor via a configuredasanetwork central microcomputer and implements its ofmicro- keyboardandprinter.Remoteslave computer -based controllers which interact commands, uses an Intel8748,single -chip processors are located in each building's withahigh -capability . Work is being continued centralmicro- HVAC equipment room, known as the to replicate the remote processors for computer. In this article, a total system Penthouse. The remote processor inter- computer control of the remaining overview will be given, followed by a faces with the HVAC equipment solenoids buildings in the Service Company facility.

printer A microcomputer network for energy Bldg 201 1* L Central management now controls building 203 at Micro Computer the RCA Service Company facilityin Keyboard Status 13oiler Room/ Console Indication Alarm CherryHill, New Jersey. The Service Bldg 702 Company's facility consists of a seven - building complex, each one having its own heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Prior to automation,

1 each building's environment was regulated Bldg 204C Analog Sensors by a pneumatic control system. This system L_--_1 g providedzonal -temperatureregulation Supply Fan based solely on feedback from local ther- v0.1 CHW Valve I-- Remote mostats. Other equipment, such as air Bldg 704E Bldg 204W Processing Unit supply and exhaustfans,aswellas Dampers

dampers, are controlled by a number of Bldg 203 electromechanical timers as well as the gRelief Fan facilities operators. Status Input Signals

Reprint RE -25-3-11 Final manuscript received Sept. 25. 1979. Fig. 1. The Computer Energy Management System is configured with a central processor.

50 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 CI Humidifier and relays. The equipment used in a typical CHWV Supply Sensor Fan HVAC system, shown in Fig. 2, consists of r 1>

Abramoyich/Patel: Microcomputer system design for remote process control 51 RS232 The 8748 also reads sixteen digital status Sys Sys Star Stat 0 Printer SAC 80/20 Parallel 000 inputs, and outputs to eight digital control OM FM Orr Fail Program Proussor 1/0 Memory lines. All status inputs and control outputs 1 12'59 1 E aparruon -/7 Aleut areisolatedfromtheoutsideworld through optically coupled input and out- SAC Multrbus A A System Status Penal put modules. These modules translate ac or V dc signals to "clean" logiclevels, and Address Bus conversly allow logic inputs to switch ac or V dc loads. In Fig. 7, the internal layout of the Data Bus A remote processor, the logic boards, as well V as the interface modules are shown. The Control Bus output buffer is gated with the output of a "watch -dog" timer whose function is to

Dollerentral provide fail-safe operation. Each time a Lase Recewr & Dower V V V V V V V V successful communication link transaction Reel To,,. is completed, regardless of type, the 8748 Clock & CN Callonotar retriggersthe "watch -dog" timer.This Keyboard SBC 534 Encoder 48 Key 4 Channel and Interface Keyboard enables the buffer outputs for normal Comm. Board operation.If communication errors are 11 of 21 detected by either the CMC or the 8748 remoteprocessor,thecommunication 4 Reported processisinterrupted, orifthe 8748 processor ceases to operate properly, the Fig. 4. Hardware for the central microcomputer is based on an Intel SBC 80/20 single -board "watch -dog" timer will not be refreshed. computer. After a 30 -second time-out period the timer disables the output buffer, and the system mation suchas:system RUN, system digital, which the 8748 transfers to the reverts to its fail-safe mode of operation. FAIL, system OK (no alarms), and alarm appropriate outputs. The fail-safe mode is the pre -automation condition. An audible alarm is included to Figure 6, the remote processor block pneumatic control system. A attract attention, and an alarm reset push diagram, shows that the 8748 controls a 24 - communication -interfacechip and button. The printer,selectedforthis channelanalogdataacquisitionsub- differential -line drivers and receivers inter- application,isan electrostaticprinter system. Sixteen of these channels are face the 8748 to the communication link. which is software programmable to print in dedicated to inputs from temperature sen- Software for the remote processors was 20-, 40-, or 80 -column formats. The bold sors. These sensors are two -wire constant - written in assembly language and is ap- 20 -column format is used for alarm and currentsourceswhosecurrentvaries proximately 750 bytes long. special messages, the smaller 40 -column proportionally and linearlywith formatisused fornormalprinting. temperature.The devicerespondsto Software for the CMC was written entirely temperaturechangesat arateof 1 Communication protocol in PLM and occupies34-kbytesof microamp per degree K. The advantage of memory. using constant current devices is that they Thefunctionofthecommunication may be located many thousands of feet protocol is twofold. The first, and most away from the processor, as they are obvious, is to carry out the exchange of Remote processor independent of wiring resistance. These information between the CMC and a architecture devices offer high noise immunity because remote processor. The second, and just as voltage variations across the device do not important, is to be an integral part of the The Intel 8748, single -chip micro - change the current through it. The remain- fail-safe mechanism. Transmission of data controller, is ideally suited for use in the ing eight analog inputs are of general between the CMC and a remote processor remote processor. The 8748 contains on - purpose nature and are used for inputs isbi-directional, but only the CMC in- chip,I -k bytes of EPROM, 64 bytes of from humidity transducers. itiates a communication exchange. The RAM, a timer/counter, and 27 I/O lines. In the context of the remote processor, the Keyboard a 1 Keyboard .2 Keyboard - 3 8748 has the tasks of communicating with TO 1M T 13 I R Oct Nor Dec Open BLD Computer Fan Temp the CMC, and checking for errors and Display Set Cancel Enter In Use Control Messages Corr 7 8 9 On decoding commands received from the Winter CMC. r1 r2 r3 r4 Jul Aug Sep Closed All BID BLD BLD Suppy MIN 4 5 6 Off Commands received from the CMC fall BLDS 201 202 203 Season DOOR Fan 0 A D into two categories. The first type is a Sun Summer r5 r6 r7 .8 Apr May Jun command to the remote processor to in- BLD BLD BLD Set Error Cycle Delay Time Schedule 1 2 3 204E 204W 204C Point Signal Time Tome Of Day itiateitsdata acquisitionprocess and Thu Fri Sal transmit to the CMC all the corresponding ALARM r 9 .10 r ii 112 Jan Feb Mae - Power Power Log History Temp' Rebel Smoke Overrode Uptrue 0 Day Date data, both analog and digital. The second Up Down Time Humidity Fan Detector commandtypeincludescontroldata Mon Tue Wed generated by the CMC, both analog and Fig. 5. The dedicated -function keyboard is designed for ease of use and c arity.

52 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Communication Link attempts to re-establish communication Differential a. Output with the remote processor after a tem- Serial porary problem, such as a power failure. Interface 40 Differential Input

Analog Control Output Performance Temperature Digital to Analog Sensors Co leer ter At this time, this prototype computerized energy management system has been in-

Sensor stalled and is operating at the Cherry Hill Moo location of the RCA Service Co. Not Refer mice Resistor enough time has passed to accurately assess

Data its contributions to energy savings. But Analog to Sample Digital there is no doubt that substantial savings - V Sensor Conn Unlit will be attained. Every minute saved in operation of heavy electrical loads, such as 8748 Hurnidity Single Chip MuR Inputs air supply fans and water -chillers, is direct- Micro Data Control Computer ly translatable to dollar savings. The use of fresh outside air instead of "processed" air

Status Input AC is optimized by the CEMS system, with Input additional savings of our valuable energy Input Select Status Input resources. Mcs DC More immediately obvious is the im- Input provedcontrolcapabilityandthe Optical Input Isolation Modules operator's awareness of conditions in the

AC building under control. As such,the Control Outputs L a CEMS has proven to be invaluable. Output Buller Work is being continued at the present

DC --o Li, time to replicate the remote processors so Enable that computer control may be added to Optical Output Isolation Modules remaining buildings as soon as possible. Watchdog Trigger Tinter Fig. 6. The Intel 8748 controls a 24 -channel analog data acqi.isition subsystem aid digitalConc usion I/O. This system, although specifically designed remote processor's function is to respond, byte count equals seven. A time-out func- tooperateas an energy management but not initiate communication. A fixed tion detects when either the last byte was system, can be viewed as a general-purpose length preamble of seven bytes initiates and received, or when transmission has been microcomputer network whichiswell defines a certain procedure, and is for- prematurely interrupted. A check of the suited for remote process monitoring and matted in the following manner: message byte count determines which control. It has the ability to reliably control situation has occurred. This ensures that activities and gather information from 1st byte total message byte count neither processor waits for data that will locations many thousands of feet away. 2nd byte complement of 1st byte never arrive. The use of modems could extend the range 3rd byte remote unit I.D. number Everytransmissionisalwaysack- substantially. The dedicated keyboard ap- 4th byte command code nowledged by the receiving unit by the proach simplifies the requirements placed 5th byte error code return of data, or an acknowledge (ACK) on the operator, and this is an important to indicate that a control command was contributing factor to the overall system 6th byte checksum(exclusive -orof all other bytes in accepted, or a no acknowledge (NACK) to reliability. The remote processing units are message +5516) indicate that an error was detected in the designed for unattended operation and message just received. Only data received their operational reliability is enhanced by 7th byte data byte count during an error -free exchange isused; the error -checking mechanisms built into 8th byte through nth byte are data, otherwise, itis discarded. In the remote the communication protocol. if included processor, every error -free communication The use of such a system for energy A number of tests are performed by both exchange is used to re -trigger the unit's management will realize the efficient use of processors to verify data integrity; some "watch -dog" timer. energy -related resources through automa- are obvious and some are implied. The tests In the event that a communication link tion and algorithms programmed into the performed include: verfication that the failureoccurs,the CMC notifiesthe central microcomputer. Other benefits are received byte count equals the stated byte operator by printing an error message. If realized in the'areas of reduced down -time count, checking unit ID number, checking the CMC fails to properly communicate for maintenance, because marginal for valid commands and error codes, verif- with a remote unit for five consecutive operating conditions can be detected and cation of checksum value, and checking tries, it considers the remote processor as reported before theyturn intoproblems. that the message byte count, less the data being out of order. Nevertheless, the CMC The use of microcomputers in such a

Abramovich/Patel: Microcomputer system design for remote process control 53 Building control with brains All of us are currently involved in a have to be under the control of the nationwideprogramtoconserve operator through the computer, such energy. Logical steps such as reduc- as:zone temperature setpoints, ing the temperature and shutting off damper position and chilled water lights have been implemented to take temperature. With this information, out the fat. Another step is to improve the computer can logically control efficiency by adding insulation or and shed steam, chilled water and improving maintenance. A third step electrical consumption. isto optimize operations through In additiontooptimizing Patel,standing, and Abramovich check improved controls. operations,thesystemhelps some CPU results. The computerhaslongbeen eliminate waste resulting from equip- Abe Abramovich isa Member ofthe known for its ability to collect data, ment over -design. What is more, the Technical Staff at the RCA Laboratories in compile it and perform certain routine equipment is set up to warn of fire, Princeton. He joined RCA in 1976 and is and preset functions. A computerized danger to life and breach of security. currently a member of the Microsystems control systemutilizinga micro- The potential for other applications Research Group. Abe was a member of the team responsible for the development of an processorhas beenappliedto such as boiler control and chiller automated board testing instrument which optimizeenergyutilization and operation are many. currently is used by the Consumer Elec- building operations at Cherry Hill. In an attempt not to fall victim to the tronics Division. For that work, he was Optimization can occur simply by "over -kill" syndrome of the purchas- awarded the 1978 RCA Laboratories Out- revising current operating schedules ing equipment with the ability to standing Achievement Award. He was also responsibleforresearchworkinthe to reflect the actual needs of the perform more tasks, obtaining more application of microcomputers to TV remote operation, i.e., ten hours per day vs. information and monitoring more control systems. His most recent assign- 24 hours. A second improvement conditions than is necessary or that ment was as project coordinator for the could occur with the use of time can be efficiently used, the Energy Computer Energy Management System. Abe has published a number of articles on clocks to improve operation. These SystemsAnalysisGroupatthe the applications of Integer Arithmetic and steps were all implemented at Cherry Laboratories was contactedfor was the recipient of the 1978 Outstanding Hill with the HVAC system, resulting assistance. The "off the shelf com- Paper Award from the Industrial and Control in significant savings of energy. See- ponents"microprocessorsystem Instrumentation Society of the IEEE. ing the savings in oil and electricity, with unique software methodologies Contact him at: the question arose: "How can we fine has resulted ina flexible, smaller, RCA Laboratories Princeton, N.J. tunethesystem"?Themethod cost-effective building operation aid Ext. 2545 chosen was computerized control than is currently commercially available. Anil Patel is a Member of Technical Staff at and monitoring system that provides RCA Laboratories in Princeton. He joined forcentralizedreporting, analysis While the microcomputer remote Microsystems Research in 1978 and has and action. process control system has only been been involved with microprocessors and Inorder tointelligently control recently installed, early indications their applications to energy management HVAC operations, a certain amount are that the resulting savings will be system. Currently, he is involved in micro- processor applications for new consumer substantial, with the ever-increasing of information is needed, such as: products. zone energy rates. outsideconditions, Contact him at: temperatures, relative humidity, time RCA Laboratories of day and occupancy schedule. Bob Weaver, Service Company Princeton, N.J. Inaddition, certain key controls Cherry Hill, N.J., Ext. 5721 Ext. 2812

systempermits unlimitedflexibilityin Here at the Labs, three groups supplied terms of functional implementation, inter- the expertise required to implement this face requirements and a simpler design. project. First, Dr. B. Hershenov's Energy This directly leads to reduced system cost SystemAnalysis Group,inDr.B.F. and improved reliability. WilliamsLaboratory,heldtheoverall responsibilityfortheproject.Inthat group,Dr.K..S.Vanguri supplied the Acknowledgment knowhow required for the implementation of the HVAC interface and the energy The Energy Management System, relatedalgorithms.Dr.P.M.Russo's described in this report, is the culmination Microsystems Research Group and Dr. of a cooperative effort between theRCA R.H. Roth's Systems Architecture Service Co. and the RCA Laboratories. At Research Group, both in A.H. Teger's the Service Co., Mr. Bob Weaver, Director Laboratory, suppliedthe technical ex- of Facilities, appreciated the potential and pertise. Mr. R.J. Poulo, in the SAR group, was responsible for the software develop- Fig. 7. The remote processor with logic and benefits such as a system would provide, interface elements are shown. and eagerly supported the project. ment effort.

54 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 R. Poulo

Software design methodologies applied to remote process control

The high-level tools of data -flow diagrams and top -down design and implementation provide crucial development techniques for microprocessor systems.

ment System (GEMS; see "M icroprocessor Unfortunately, the most widely used Abstract: Microprocessors are being used System Design for Remote Process Con- design tool is the flowchart. Flowcharts are today in applications so complex that they trol" in this issue). ideal toolsforseparatingoutand run an entire software system. The choice graphically displaying just the flow of of software tools, i.e., data flow diagrams control, or time sequence of aset of vs. flowcharts, and the steps to be taken in Choice of software tools operations, in a system. But this is exactly building a system are discussed. Com- what is not desired in systems design. A prehensive data flow diagrams, how they As in CE MS, microprocessors are now mathematician might say that flowcharts evolved and their function in the im- being used in applications so complex that are orthogonal to the kind of tools that are plementation of the Computer Energy they run not a program but a software most useful.' While a good argument can Management System are presented. The system. The emphasis here is on the word also be made against flowcharts at the level design of the modules to implement the "system" where the components of a of program design, it should be clear that system organization, using a top -down system are themselves programs or sets of one should never use a flowchart in systems design implementation, is described. The programs. System design, therefore, con- design. result of applying these software tech- sistsof defining the function of each If flowcharts are bad then what is good? niques has been a coherent, highly modular component and the interactions between To answer that, one must look at the result and easily modifiable software system. components. The design of the internal of a system design. This result is a plan mechanism of each component program is describing the functions of the major com- a separate problem which should not be ponents and the data that are passed In the past, the development of software tackled until the system design is complete. between them. An important point is that for microprocessors was years behind the In designing a system, the designer does the data are really the raison dltre of the development of software for large com- not, in general, know much about the time system. In particular, given the input data puters. Limited memory size and inade- sequencing of the system components. In the purpose of a system is to produce, by quate software tools had always dictated some systems, the time sequence may not any means necessary, the output data. that system designers program in assembly be unique over several iterations or, worse, With this in mind, another way to describe language and use debugging tools that were may notever. be definable. A simple the result of a system design is that it is a scarcely worth the name.It seemed to example of this, though not the only description of the flow of data through the follow, as a corollary, that inadequate example, is any system which is known in system, the transformations suffered by the design tools would also be used. However. advance to have some parallel processing. data and a set of programs to accomplish with microprocessor hardware following The tools that will be useful to the system the transformations. the growth of large computers (at a faster designer will be those that do not make any The first software tool is the data flow rate) it is time to apply more sophisticated explicitmentionof a sequence of diagram. This is a graphical illustration of tools to the design and implementation of operations. While tools that do explicitly the flow of data in a system and the software for microprocessors. This article mention the sequence of operatiors could transformations applied to the data. The will attempt to provide some motivation be used, by the very process of using them, energy management system will be for the software tools actually used in the designer makes decisions regarding the presented, first, as a sequence of data flow designing the Computer Energy Manage - time sequence. Not only should these diagrams showing how the system evolved. decisions not be made at this stage but the A description of the programs that will wrong decisions might be made. The right achieve the transformations will be derived Reprint RE -25-3-12 Final manuscript received Sept. 12, 1979. decisions may not be clear until much later. by another software tool. When the design

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 55 To Energy Control Devices

Device Commands Device Status Compute energy management functions according to current gii\s,...... policy and implement Device Device Status Commands Operator Commands operator commends Operator Memos

Fig. 2. The function of the central computer is to take, as input, the building -environment status and operator commands, and to output commands to remote hardware and messages Operator Operator Commands Messages to the operators.

Operator and out of a bubble are shown by the complex data transformation. Since the Fig. 1. The central computer is the heart of arrows connecting the bubbles. One must energymanagementpolicyandthe the Computer Energy Management System remember that thereis no implication operator commandswilloperatein- environment. whatever regarding a time ordering of the dependently of each other, the next refine- data transformations nor of how any ment is to separate this bubble into two is complete, one can plan the implementa- transformation is to be realized. bubbles. At first glance one might conclude tion of the system. Only the gross detail of the central that the two new bubbles are themselves We now have these three distinct steps in computer is shown in Fig. 3. The functional independent, but a closer examination building a system: deriving the data flow decomposition is roughly into transfor- reveals that, in their output, both have diagrams andsupporting information, mations accomplishing the operations of commands to the remote energy control deriving the set of programs to implement input, computation and output. The first devices.Thisisclearforthe energy thedatatransformations, andimple- bubble, in Fig. 3, gets the actual status from management bubble. The operator, who menting these programs to produce the the remote hardware panel and compares it can assume direct control over the system, system. The word "design" will be given a to the commands that were sent to the can also issue device commands. With no restricted meaning. The three steps will be panel. If there is a discrepancy, an operator restriction on the operator, it is inevitable respectively called analysis, design and message must be generated describing the that these two sets of commands will often implementation. By segregating the con- error. Thus, the inputs to the bubble are the be contradictory. The solution is a third struction of the system in this way, each actual status and the device commands new bubble whose function is to arbitrate major step involves the use of one major while the outputs are the actual status and between the two sets of device commands software tool. operator messages. The second bubble and produce the set of commands that will computes the new set of logical commands really be sent to the remote panels. accordingtotheenergy management Figure 4 shows this refinement. It should Evolution of the policy and implements commands entered be clear that a heretofore unknown func- CEMS software by the operator. The last bubble converts tion of the system, arbitration of two sets of the logical commands to physical device inconsistent commands, has been revealed A high-level block diagram of CEMS is commands and sends them to the remote by a simple refinement of a data flow shown in Fig.I. This figure displays the hardware panels. At this point there is little diagram. In fact, the refinement was so system environment as seen by the central detail visible, yet, some insight into the simple and obvious that one might have computer. Abstracting from the figure we proper design of the system has been been tempted to not bother with it, thus, get the simple data flow diagram shown in gained.Inputandoutputandtheir ignoring an important aspect of the system Fig. 2. This data flow diagram shows that associated functions have been separated until too late. The data flows from the the function of the central computer in from the remainder of the system. actual status to the compute -new -energy - CE MS is to take, as input, the actual status The central bubble of Fig. 3 represents a system -commandsandimplement - ofthebuilding environment and the operator commands and apply appropriate data transformations to produce as output the commands to the remote hardware panels and status messages to the operator. The process of analysis now consists of refining the diagram of Fig. 2 in stages to achieve the same overall data transforma- tion by a set of smaller, interconnected transformations. Such smaller transfor- mations are more specific, better defined and closer to the ultimate implementation than large transformations. Figure 3 shows the next level of refinement for CEMS. Fig. 3. The system is refined Into transformations for input, processing and output. The need Each circle, or bubble, represents some for send -device commands is not obvious. During early system development, its indepen- data transformation. The flows of data into dent existence was deemed useful and later work confirmed this.

56 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 operator -commands bubbles are included for useinthe energy algorithms and operator messages, respectively. It is instructive to pause and consider what the system might have looked like at this stage had flowcharts been used. First of all, it is possible, and perhaps probable, thatthe energy management functions would have been considered of luminary importance from the beginning. The func- tion of handling the operator commands thatoverridethe energy management algorithmsanddirectlycontrolthe environment would be relegated to being an ancillary function. Verifying the actual status would certainly be considered a detailtobe addedlaterand would Fig. 4. ArbitratiDn of two sets of inconsistent commands was revealed by a refinement of the probably end up as the first part of the data flow diagram which shows how the energy management functions fit in with the other program that computed the new set of functions of the central computer. device commands. Yet, in the actual system design, there isstill no detail as to the workingoftheenergymanagement algorithms. Instead, the high-level function performed by these algorithms has been integratedwiththeotherhigh-level functions of the system which is the essence of top -down design as applied to whole systems. The next stepisto decompose the compute- new -energy -system commands bubble. Figure 5 shows the result. One of the new bubbles represents the execution of all algorithms that are to be evaluated on a continuous basis, i.e., as often as possible. The other represents the execution of algorithmsthatarecontrolledbya schedule. The schedule itself is a global data repository and is also shown in Fig. 5. The compute -scheduled -energy -functions bubble reads the schedule to decide when Fig.5. The energy management functions are separated according to how function to execute the various algorithms. Since execution is determined. somealgorithmscontrolwhenother algorithmsareexecuted,theymake changes in the schedule resulting in the data flow to the schedule. In addition, the operator can both change and examine the schedule so there are data flows between theschedule and implement -operator - commands bubble. The last major refinement of the data flow diagrams is shown in Fig. 6. Because the fans that supply air to the buildings require special treatment, itis useful to separate them from the other device com- mands. The restriction on the fans is that no two fans can be turned on within two minutes of each other. Since the algorithms generate fan turn on commands without regard to this restriction, a fan command queue has been introduced. The choose - energy -system -commands bubbletakes commands off the queue when enough time Fig. 6. The final refinement of the CEMS data flow diagram separates the commands to turn has passed. on the fans for special treatment

Poulo: Software design methodologies applied to remote process control 57 Dispatcher MI" Get Status

Verify Get Status Check for Alerm Device From Or. Panel Conditions Status

Execute Compute New Get Put Mo Indialue Operator Energy System Status Commands [OPanei fromPanel ( Commands MenageBuffer

SendMOM.to Remote Fig. 7. The top-level structure chart shows how the dispatcher J. INPanel Interrupt successively calls routines to implement high-level functions of the Panel and Get Response Routine system. Error I Code

Design and implementation Print Error Messep The system organization, as shown in Fig. 6, completes the analysis phase and brings Fig. 8. Subroutines of the get -status routine are used to get and us to the design phase. The task is to design check the status of the various devices. modules to implementthe system organization. The software tool used is the status" routine of Fig. 7 is shown with its example, the problem of communicating structure chart, which shows each routine subroutines in Fig. 8. The operation of withtheprocessorsontheremote and the calling relations between routines. obtainingstatuspartiallyconsistsof hardware panels requires that the design Each box of a structure chart represents gettingthestatusfrom eachremote phase include how the interrupt routines fit one routine. Lines between boxes show hardware panel. Routine "get -status -from - in with the routines of the main process. what routines call other routines. Informa- one -panel"getsthestatusfrom one Figures 8 and 9 show this interrupt routine. tion passed in routine arguments is shown hardware panel. It will be called several Note that, as an interrupt routine, itis on a chart next to the connecting line. times for each get -status operation but its never explicitly called by another routine. Again, the design is top -down. The first workings are of no concern to theget - This is shown in the figure by the absence of step is shown in Fig. 7, where a dispatcher status routine.Note the routine "verify - a connecting line to a higher level routine. successively calls routines to implement the device -status" which performs the check of In the design phase, the details of processor high-level functions of the system. This the device status against the expected communication were planned and com- dispatcher is the main routine of the system status. This is the routine that implements pletely understood before any implementa- and callsitssubroutines repeatedly to the function of comparing the raw -device - tion had begun, including the details of continuously execute all of the system status data flow with the device -commands how the main routine and interrupt routine operations. How each subroutine executes data flow carried out by the get -and -check - shared and passed information. Similar its particular operation is not the concern device -status bubble in Fig. 6. treatmentwas given to theinterrupt of the dispatcher. Real-time systems, such as CEMS, have routines for the keyboard, printer and Each second -level routine is now broken special problems which are also amenable external clock. up in the same way. For example, the "get - to treatment with the software tools. For The process of refinement, by specifying

Put Commands Compute New Energy System Commands

Choose the Device Send Commands Commands to Send to One Panel Compute Execute Compute Analog Schedule Message Message Seasonal Feedback Directed to Panel from Panel Me sage zModes Buffer Signals Functions Send Me sage to Panel Item Number Remote Panel %IN Interrupt In Schedule and Get Response Routine

Error Yes/No Code See if Time Compute Print Compute to Execute Print Error Set Daily Power -up Scheduled Message Points Report Time Function

Fig. 9. These routines are used to select and send commands to the Fig. 10. These routines implement the energy -management policy. remote panels.

58 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 routines at lower levels, continues until the point, it is difficult, approaching impossi- mainly of the set of data flow diagrams, function of all routines can be specified by ble, to write assembly code which is as bug - structure charts and supporting informa- roughly a one -page English description. free as high-level code. It is better to have a tion (e.g., details of data flow) that were Given a good functional decomposition, in correct, moderately sized program than an made throughout the project life cycle. a data flow diagram, the specification of incorrect,small program.Infact,the theroutineswillproceedquickly.In program size could not be reduced greatly. designing CEMS, about six weeks of trial The code generated by the PL/ M compiler Bibliography anderror were dedicatedtoanalysis has been examined and found to be quite I DeMarco,I.,Structured Analysis and System culminating inFig.6,while only one efficient. Specification. Yourdon, Inc. additional week yielded all the structure 2. Yourdon. E., and Constantine. L.L.. Structured charts, the major ones appearing as Figs. 7- Design, Yourdon, Inc. 10. Summary A top -down implementation was used in writing the code of theroutines. The The result of applying these software tech- routines, shown in Fig. 7, were written and niques has been a coherent, highly modular tested first, to be followed by the routines and easily modifiable software system. in Fig. 8, only when they seemed to work Whenever changes are required, the data correctly. Top -down implementation often flow diagrams and structure charts provide seems to be backwards at first examina- aready means of analyzing how the tion, the usual approach being to design changes fit into the system and just what top -down but implement bottom -up. Yet, the implementation should be. Further- the arguments in favor of applying the top - more, the routines that implement the down methodology apply to implementa- energy managementalgorithms and tion methods as well as to analysis and operator commands constitute less than design methods. The ramifications of a half of the overall code. The remainder is changein a high-levelroutinewill the framework of a general control system propagate deeply into the lower regions of for a set of satellite processors. the structure charts while the converse is The scope of CEMS, together with its false. success, show the value of approaching Allroutines,including the interrupt microprocessor systems with high-level routines, were written in PL/ M, a FL/ !- tools and techniques. As an example, the like language designed for micro- project had been underway for a year Richard Poulo joined RCA in 1978 and soon processors. There is not a single line of before any thought was given to software, began designing the software system for CEMS. Previously he had worked on design- assembly code in the system. As a result, yet the software development proceeded ing an operating system for a Cray 1 com- the softwareconsistsofindependent quickly once it was begun. The value of puter, and on various other pro.ects in- moduleswhich can be individually data flow analysis, in particular. is im- cluding simulation and graphics. He is replaced if the internal functions must be mense. It is estimated that, if more com- currently investigatinggeneralsoftware testing techniques and is testing a PASCAL changed. Thecollective sizeofthe mon techniques were used, the project compiler programs is 34 kilobytes, which the author would have taken months longer to com- Contact him at: feels is not large considering the functions plete. As an added benefit, the documenta- RCA Laboratories of the system and the low-level abilities of tion of the internal workings of the system Princeton, N.J. the host machine language. More to the is automatically complete, for it consists Ext. 3563

System design, program structure design and programming

A common example of a function that requires systemdevelopment is composed. The structure of the programs design, structure design and programming is the conver-is determined by the parameters of the manual system to sion of a. manually operated data processing system intobe converted. The programs are structured by the anautomatic system. The parameters of the new system priorities of the tasks to be performed. are determined by the system to be converted which The last step in the sequence of steps to be performed in imposes certain restrictions on the new system. the development of a system is the actual programming. The system designer must first analyze the manual Programs must be written to translate the data flow system and define the problem. Data flow is analyzed andinformation provided in the first step into instructions that data flow diagrams devised for implementing automatic tell the computer how to process the data. The programs data processing. that are to be written have been determined by the overall The second step, and one which is fundamental to the design structure. Programming is the implementation of success of the system, is the design of the structure of the the solution that was composed irrthe second phase of the programs that will process the data. It is at this stage that system development. the solution to the problem defined in the first stage of B.L.S.

Poulo: Software design methodologies applied to remote process control 59 M. HerskowitzN.J. Fedele

Dedicated microprocessor -based testers for improved fault isolation

Microcomputer -based testers that are easily updatable and expandable, through reprogramming and modular hard ware, bring objectivity to manufacturing testing.

Abstract:As with any manufacturing step, SBC 80/20 single board microcomputer. identifying missing components on printed testing must be made to be cost effective. The first system insures that BCD circuit boards prior to soldering. Both One way to reduce the hardware costs keyboards meet required specifications. systems are based on Intel's SBC 80/20-4 involved in production testing is through The second verifies the presence of com- Single Board Microcomputer. The control the use of small, dedicated micro- ponents on printed circuit boards prior to programsforthesesystemsresidein computer -based testers. wave soldering. Both of these systems erasable programmable read only memory Two such testers are described in reduce manufacturing costs by finding (EPROM)whichfacilitatesprogram this paper, both based on Intel's failures early in the production cycle. changes during the prototyping stage.

Due to the ever increasing complexity of Televisions. The second system, still un- FSKT system consumer products, production testing is dergoingfeasibilitystudy,hopesto becoming an integral part of the manufac- monitor the performance of automatic The frequency synthesis keyboard tester turingprocess.Withtheimpactof component inserting (ACI) equipment by (FSKT) is a go/no-go system that ensures microprocessortechnologies,lowcost dedicated test systems are becoming ex-

tremely popular for production testing. USER SYSTEM STORAGE Microprocessor -based systems have the PROGRAM MONITOR AREA (EPROM) (EPROM) advantageof being abletobe easily (RAM) reprogrammed to satisfy a new test se- quence using different parameter values. ADDRESS BUS With modular hardware, most functions can be provided by simply plugging in the DATA BUS requiredinterfaceand modifyingthe software. The only custom circuitry re- quired is used for sensors, detectors, and INTEL's 8080 signal conditioning between the computer MICROPROCESSOR and the unit under test. This level of standardization provides for easier maintenance and reduced tester costs, since the basic hardware may be reproduced IN OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT DRIVER many times.'For these reasons, many SELECT PORT 'F' PORT 'A' PORT 'B microprocessor -based systems are turning PORT "C. CIRCUITRY up in the factory environment. U U Two such systems, both designed to DISPLAY OR PULL-UP FRONT 0-10 VDC SOLENOID INPUT SWITCH RESISTIVE PANEL identifycomponentlevelfaults,are DAC DRIVERS described in this article. The first system, BANK NETWORK DISPLAYS about to be introduced on-line, verifies the proper operation of keyboards on RCA KEYBOARD FIXTURE Reprint RE -25-3-13 Final manuscript received Aug. 24, 1979. Fig. 1. Block diagram of the FSKT system showing the system organization.

60 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 proper operation of the channel -select respondence foraparticular solenoid. the data lines are not being read when they keyboard used on TV sets equipped with Figure 4 shows the mechanism setup that are in an indeterminate state. Once the the frequency -synthesis tuner. A system will allow a calibration table to be formed. program exits from the loop, the strobe line diagram is shown in Fig.1. This system In use, the cantilevered beam is displaced a is again tested for closure, and the binary- verifies minimum and maximum force given amount by applying a constant force coded decimal (BCD) code fromthe specifications for each key, and ensures against the plunger. The voltage on the coil keyboard is verified. The zero key is a that the correct data lines are enabled prior is lowered until the plunger is displaced. At special case, because the BCD code for zero to activation of the strobe flag. Solenoids that voltage, the force is equal to or less does not affect any data line. A counter, are used to actuate the keys, since testing than the force exerted by the deflected controlling the number of times the overall timeisan important consideration in beam. The force due to the beam is cycle is executed, is initialized with its value overall system design. A mechanical fix- measured by a strain gauge, while the stored in the data table. ture positions the keyboard for testing. voltage is recorded. The values can now be Upon completionoftesting, the Operation of the keyboard by the fixture calculated and stored in program memory. program signals the operator to eject the offers significant advantages over manual As mentioned, the use of solenoids in the part, turns off the running lamp, and methods including: a more objective test FSKT system enables rapid key actuation. indicates whether the part passed or failed. procedure, reduced operator interaction, The time to complete a single pass through and reduced testing time. a twelve -key keyboard is approximately a second. Most of the time is consumed in the delay routine, waiting for the solenoid to System organization become stable. The stabilizing time for the solenoids used is about 20 ms, as shown in A photograph of the FSKT is presented in Fig. 5. Fig.2.The interface from the central The photograph, presented in Fig. 6, processing unit (CPU) to the keyboard shows the input voltage (stimulus) applied under test is composed of the mechanical to the solenoid (the upper portion), and the fixture and the driver/ select board, which voltage (response) produced by the strain generatesthestimulus and feedsthe gauge as determined by the calibration response back to the microprocessor. The procedure. The voltage produced by the driver select card interprets commands strain gauge corresponds to a specific force Fig. 2. Photograph showing the mechanical from the computer, selects the solenoid and value. Notice that the force always rises to fixture (small box) next to the electronic package applies the proper force to the key precisely the end level and never overshoots the positioned under the solenoid actuator. specific value. The fixture, shown in Fig. 3, houses the twelve actuator solenoids. It automatically starts the test sequence, once the keyboard System operation IR is properly positioned, and ejects the part upon completion of the test. The fixture The FS KT performs a simple go/ no-go test includes a safety interlocking network that displaying a green lightif a keyboard eliminates the possibility of injury to the passes, a red light if itfails. The testing operator. sequence proceeds as follows: after the operator places the keyboard in the fixture, a microswitch, located inside the MIN Calibration and measurement mechanicalfixture,signalsthe micro- computer thatthe keyboardisseated To use a solenoid to provide an accurate correctly and ready to be tested. Once the Fig.3. The fixture, which contains the twelve actuator solenoids, automatically force stimulus, its force -voltage sequence is initiated, the running lamp is starts the test sequence and ejects the part characteristic must be known. The force - turned on and the program directs the D/ A upon test completion. voltage relationship for a solenoid is linear converter to output a voltage value cor- asexpressedbyAmpere'slaw.The responding to a force of 3 ounces. The relationship' between force and displace- program then checks to see if any of the ment, however, is rather complex and will signals from the keyboard are activated. If vary with different plunger and winding any are, the key has triggered below the configurations.Typically,forcevalues lower limit, and the part fails and testing 1 rC DISPLACEMENT decrease significantlywithincreasing stops atthatpoint.If signals remain CANTILEVERED T BEAM plungerdisplacement.Forthegiven deactivated, a larger force is applied and STRAIN GAGE application, the plunger remains stationary thelinesretested.Thisprocedure is until the solenoid force has overcome the repeated until the key triggers or the force impedance of the key. Thus, the displace- required to trigger the key is greater than ment will remain constant while the force the upper limit, and the part fails. The ,1 isi I!, can be varied with voltage. strobe line is repeatedly examined at the Since the voltage -force relationship is appropriate place to ensure that it does not Fig. 4. The cantilevered beam is displaced a basicallylinearinnature,simple ex- preceed any dataline.This procedure given amount (ax) by applying a constant perimentation will reveal the cor- verifies that, in actual keyboard operation, force against the plunger.

Herskowitz/Fedele: Dedicated microprocessor -based testers for improved fault isolation 61 Post ACI system different sized holes exist on the board, and be drilled for it), and a corresponding LED even holes of the same size will contain wired into the display matrix. If a sensor is The post automatic component inserting parts with varying lead diameters. Further- to be deleted, the fiber optic link can be (ACI) verifier insures the presence of all more, even with proper care, variations in removed and the sensor covered. In both passive components on production circuit light intensity across the face of the board cases, a recalibration will be required, boards immediatelyfollowing their are difficult to avoid, as are variations in which takes about one or two seconds. machine insertion. This is accomplished by fiber-optic and photocell characteristics. comparing the light passing through the Because of this, no single decision point holes of a populated board to the light could be chosen that would be suitable for System operation which passes through the holes of an allholes on the board.Rather than unpopulated board. The system allows for calculate and store all different references 1 he control panel consists of four lamps variations in hole size and lead diameter, in memory, a more flexible approach was (PASS, FAIL, TESTING, and ERROR) pushbuttonswitches (CAL- whichaddsflexibilityandimproves chosen. Before testing begins, a separate and two IBRATE and TEST). Immediately follow- reliability. calibrate routineis executedin which readings are collected for an unpopulated ing application of power, or after a reset, board. During the test mode, each sensor the system is in the calibrate mode, as System organization reading is compared with its corresponding indicated by a flashing ERROR lamp. At thistime, the operator places an un- The hardware layout and system diagram calibration value. If sufficient* reduction in value occurred during the test, the hole is populated board onto the fixture and of the post ACI verifier are shown in Figs. 7 pressesthe calibrate switch. After the and 8. Fiber optic cables are used to carry considered filled, otherwise it is not. The calibration need only be done once each system calibrates, the PASS lamp will be the light from the fixture plate to the on, unless one or more sensors saturates, in sensors. The 1024 sensor signals are then day when the system is first powered up, but it may be desirable to calibrate to each which case, the FAIL lamp will be on and multiplexed down to a single line to be the ERROR lamp will continue to flash. lotof boards, since each one may be handledbythe A/ D converter. The The calibrate switch is still active during program interrogates the sensors, performs slightly different. This calibration method has an added this condition, allowing for the problem to the necessary calculations, and presents be corrected. This feature is added as a error information (if any) to the light - benefit. It allows spare sensors to exist in the system for handling engineering change precautionary measure only, as sensor emitting diode (LED) display. The display saturation is not expected to be a problem. consists of an unpopulated circuit board notifications (ECN). During calibration, all 1024 sensors are interrogated without Aftercalibrationiscomplete,the with the holes drilled out to accept small operator places a populated board onto the LEDs. The LEDs are wired on a 32 x 32 regard for their status. If the spare sensors are kept covered, their readings will be zero fixture and presses the "test" switch. All matrixwitheachintersectioncor- or near zero. During the test mode, each currently used sensors are compared with responding to a particular sensor. This their calibration readings and the first four display format was chosen to facilitate calibration reading is checked prior to testing of that sensor. If the reading is errors encountered (if any) will be sent to rapid identification of errors by production the LED display. The test status (PASS or personnel. below some preset limit, the sensor is skipped. If a sensor needs to be added, a FAIL) is sent to the control panel, and an fiber optic link from the sensor to the audible alarm sounds on failure. The test Calibration and measurement fixture plate can be supplied (a hole must procedure can then be repeated. In addition to the confidence check When attempting to verify component Currently, a 25 percent reduction is used as the cutoff, which exists for the sensors, there are two which represents the anticipated decrease resulting insertion by measuring light transmission, from a lead whose diameter is half that of the hole. This checks for displays. Following a reset, the certain problems are encountered. Many is viewed as a reasonable worst case. four status lamps all come on for ap-

.PTI1 I IIII 00 .10

100. 111111111111111111111 "a1111111111111161111111111111 9111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111 1111111111MM 1111111111111111111111111111111 MEM r1951111111111 5111111111111110P 1111111111111111111111111111 111111111111111111111 03111111111111111

Fig. 5. The stabilizing time for the solenoids is about 20 ms. Fig. 6. Solenoid response waveform as measured by the strain gage.

62 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 board, the possibility exists that damage .V 1=1C- y, CIRCUIT BOARD may occur to other components. ALUMINUM FIBER MASK Botl- of the test systems described are OPTIC GUIDE capable of performing the required tasks LIGHT SENSOR more objectively than they are now being performed and can also provide increased

B througnput. Each can be reprogrammed to ANALOG L accommodate new test specifications and MULTIPLEXER PROPOSED SENSOR each makes use of modular hardware. These features give microcomputer -based A D CONVERSION testers longer usable lives with reduced STATUS development cost and time. CONTROL

LED INTEL SYSTEM 80 DISPLAY Acknowledgment

MICROCOMPUTER CONTROL BOARD LOGIC & LED The authors are extremely grateful for DRIVERS Angelo Marcantonio's contributions to Fig. 7. The hardware layout is shown in this diagram of the system architecture for the ACI both projects. verfication project. Reference USER SYSTEM STORAGE AID I. "Microcomputer for Test and Control PROGRAM MONITOR AREA CONVERTER 32 CHANNEL Applications," RCA Engineer,Vol.22,p.64 IEPROMI (EPROM) (RAM) Feb.%.1arch, 1977).

ADDRESS BUS

DATA BUS

INTEL 8080 MICROPROCESSOR

PORT C PORT B PORT D PORT E PORT F

MULTIPLEXER SWITCH STATUS ROWDRIVES COL LOAN DRIVER STATUS INPUTS LAMPS ADDRESS J OPTICAL SENSORS TEST FIBER LED AND OPTIC FIXTURE FIRST LEVEL DISPLAY PANEL LINKS ANALOG MULTIPLEXER Herskowitz works at the terminal while Fedele watches.

32 ANALOG SIGNAL LINES Martin Herskowitz joined RCA Laboratories Fig. 8. The program interrogates the sensors, performs the necessary calculations, and in 1974. After receiving a B.Sin Applied presents error information to the LED display. Science 'Engineering in 1979, he joined the Microsystems Research group where he now designs automated test systems for CE proximately a second allowing for a visual current manual test approach. The present manufacturing. verification. The LED display has a built- keyboard test method consists of con- Contact him at: in sensing circuit which checks for proper necting the keyboard to a working televi- Microsystems Research current flow each time a LED is accessed. If sionreceiver and observing keyboard RCA Laboratories one fails to come on when accessed, the operation on a two -digit display. This Princeton, N.J. Ext. 2194 system' halts with the LED address latched approachissubjective and time con- to an internal display. This error check for suming. Furthermore, it does not examine fCcola JohnFedelejoined RCA the LED display was chosen due to the high the keyboard sufficiently to identify all its Laboratories in 1978 and, since then, has involvedwith current demand which would result from possible failure modes. been microprocessor research and development. Mr. Fedele is simultaneously illuminating 1024 LEDs. The television circuit boards are current- presentlyengagedintheaesign and ly being visually inspected by an operator development of hardware and software or are not inspected at all prior to solder- systems for microprocessor -based Conclusion ing.Failuretoidentifymissing com- automatic test and control equipment. ponents prior to soldering increases the Contact rim at: The twoflexible microcomputer -based cost of replacement. Furthermore, if the Advances Systems Research Laboratory RCA Laboratories testers, that have been discussed, offer missing part is not identified prior to the Princeton, N.J. moreeffectiveperformancethanthe time that power is applied to the circuit Ext. 2622

Herskowitz/Fedele: Dedicated microprocessor -based testers for improved fault isolation 63 (DE ilfti)@ IcA/off the job

A quick survey of how RCA people use microprocessors at home and at work

Automated darkroom Temp Probe M3

1 Tray r Darkroom work involves all processes needed to convert a

roll of film into a print. Basically, these processes include Water Bath-w. IChemNeirn Print Processing film development, print exposure, and print development. " Ott Line " Development requires processing the film or paper in a A/D Control Lines Heater Signal series of chemical baths in which duration and temperature Conditioning must be controlled. Exposure requires analyzing the Temp RCA VIP quantity of light received at the unexposed print. This MUXA/D AC Control 8to 1 Conver amount of light is used to compute a time of exposure. If a Photo Input color print is being exposed, the quality of the light must also be analyzed; that is, the amount of each primary color must be known so that correction filters can be used to Cassette TV Enlarger correct any imbalance of the light, which will cause an Storage Display Lamp incorrect rendering of the picture. Currently, I am using my RCA -VIP home computer as a Photometer timer. I input a series of times into the VIP which correlate Photocells White -Cyan -Magenta -Yellow with the processes I wish to monitor. For each process, the computer times down and provides a 'beep' at completion. All other factors such as temperature and light quality and photocel Is. In this system a TV monitor is used to display the quantity are monitored by other means. output of the photometer and the temperature probes along In order to use the computer to its fullest extent,I am with any status information that can be presented for constructing an automated darkroom. Temperature control processes which are conducted in normal room light. The is provided by means of a heater and temperature probes. cassette unit is used to store the programs and data for use The heater is used to keep the water bath at a constant by the computer. temperature. The temperature probes are used to monitor the water bath and chemicals. Exposure control is provided Stanley Goliaszewski by an enlarger lamp controller and a photometer. The Missile and Surface Radar photometer is used to monitor the quantity of the light, the Moorestown, N.J. white photocell, and the quality of the light of the color Ext. 3764

COSMACDAC music VIP Latch Rhythm generator System

Data Data This VIP microprocessor controls a Data Bus (8) music generator system.It features Bus Bus seven separate melody channels and Audio Amp NO Output three rhythm channels (bass drum, N -Bit Latch 7 OE > Ni Enables Resistor Mixer"-41"Speaker snare drum, wood block) all mixed into N2 Decoder one or two outputs. Although similar in TPB 41. Latch somerespectstothe VIP sound boards, there is less emphasis on fre- Latch 7 Strobes St quency synthesis and envelope generation, and more emphasis on the software management and control of OSC Freq all the channels. Crosspoint 0. 7 Freq Clks The six octave range is controlled in 0 am. Divider Switches software, as are the speeds, repeats, relocations, andothercontrol Run functions. Each note for a channel is Seven stored in one memory byte, containing Sound Paul Dackow Generator frequency and duration information. Chips There are seven pieces presently in MOS Logic Design Solid State Division the song library, ranging from one to Somerville, N.J. eight minutes in length. Ext. 6836

64 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Use of the RCA COSMAC VIP in a teletype display system

An outmoded teletype display system at the TRADEX Site, Kwajalein, was recently upgraded to a more flexible and versatile system through the use of the RCA COSMAC VIP Microcomputer. The new system replaces a noisy and bulky TTY Televiewer with a system consisting of a logic unit, the VIP, an existing TV display controller, and several TV display monitors. The heart of the system is the VIP, and through its use the capability of the display system has been considerably enhanced. Incoming TTY data are converted from Baudot to ASCII code in the logic unit and then input to the VIP via its byte I/O port. CDP1802 machine language software in VIP ROM processes each character to determine validity, remove parity, and to format and output the data to the display xxxxXXXXXXXXXXXX400000000CAMHXXXXXICX controller. Data are transferred to the controller a character at a time for upper case numbers and symbols, and a word at a time for lower case letters. Messages are displayed TNC TELETYPE DISPLAY SUS -SYSTEM USSII beginning on the bottom line of the display and are scrolled THE RCA COSMAC VIP MICROCCMITIER TO upward as a line of data is accumulated. Words are checked for length and, if too long for the current line, are displayed CONVIRT INCOMING TTY SAUDOT CODE TO on the next line. The TTY displays are time-shared with ASCII, PROCESINS AND FORMATS THE TIN tracking sensor track file status displays during TRADEX mission support. CHARACTERS. IOWA THE VIDEO DISPLAY, 4ND PROVIOSS VARIOUS TUT FEATURES

FOR VERIFICATION OF THE TTY LINE._ P.G. Vise J.B. Galpin Service Company Missile and Surface Radar Cherry Hill, N.J. Moorestown, N.J.

00000CPHXXXXXNXIOODOCXXXVOOCXXXXXXXXXO

VIP intrusion alarm VIP Input Port $129 RY1 J S192 My intrusion alarm was designed to run in a basic 2-k VIP S84 .- S240 - Si system. The software includes a modified Chip 8 interpreter 532 110 Vac F S48 Si:TV Manuel on/off and Chip 8 program. The hardware consists of fifteen S2 Panic button E sa sensors, two relays with drivers, a 555 -timer circuit, and an 0__/ S12 flY2 external power supply. S15 Input/Output Outside C IP Bell 110 Vac The 15 sensors are constantly being monitored for a S- 2 B S3 Si No e violation. If a sensor is activated, the TV is turned on and A Ail .nsom house floor plan is displayed on the TV. A dot is displayed, Sensors no molly closof B on the floor plan, to indicate the room in which an intrusion RT1 occurred. An internal alarm is then sounded for one minute. B This internal alarm is to awaken me if an intrusion occurs at RY2 night when I am at home. The outside alarm is sounded for rF71 one minute. The system automatically resets after the outside alarm is turned off. A panic button is also provided 555 rimer Relayand Driver to turn on the outside alarm. Time delays are incorporated to allow me to exit and enter the house without sounding the corresponding to the sensor is inputed, and the sensor outside alarm. position is displayed on the floor plan. With some software modifications and appropriate sen- The 555 -timer circuit is used to strobe the EF4 line. This sors, the system can be adapted for monitoring fire sensors, circuit controls the inputing of sensor conditions. water overflow sensors, etc. The relay and driver circuits control the TV and outside The floor plan was constructed by using the VIP Video bell. A byte is outputed to turn these on and off. DisplayDrawing Gameinthe RCA COSMAC VIP CDP18S711 Instruction Manual. Clifton Criswell, Jr. The sensors are connected to the VIP input/output port. Consumer Electronics Division When all sensors are closed (normal position) the eight Indianapolis, Ind. input lines are all zero. If a sensor is activated, a number Ext. 5936 on the job/off the job 65 CONTROL Microcomputer application in PANEL mail order warehousing T 0 MINI COMPUTER

PHOTO DETECTOR 1 Microcomputers play a major role in the automatic order CD P1802 fulfillment system (AFS) currently under installation at RCA OCR WAND MICRO- Records Indianapolis operation. The system consists of FULSE GENERATORC OMPUTER DISPENSER 1 four automatic packaging lines each supported by a micro- cc 0 computer. In each line, customer invoices are read by an ch 8 Oz cc OCR wand, following which productisautomatically Oo HO TO packaged with the invoice. The microcomputers work in a >cc) DETECTOR real-time mode,receivingdata from the wand, and -oz- ZW simultaneously transmitting them to the machine for -cc operations monitoring and control and to a minicomputer FILM for data processing. WRAPPER MAIL Each microcomputer is configured around a RCA CDP- 3 SYSTEM 1802 microprocessor with the appropriate interfacing for inputs and outputs for the minicomputer and the packaging machine.

H. Nanda'K. Ringeman1H. Shreder RCA Records Indianapolis, Ind. Ext. 6484

Satellite communications link evaluation using COSMAC VIPs One of the major elements of the advanced autonomous array (A3) sur- veillance buoy system, which is under development at Automated Systems in Burlington, Mass.,isa bidirectional digital UHF satellite communications link. A pair of COSMAC VIPs are employed to automatically conduct a /NUM. sequence ofteststo evaluate the reliability of this link. Each VIP system is equipped with a special interface board which contains ICAWILINGION At51,0,/ control circuitry to interface the VIP (EAST COAST) with one of two types ofsatellite transceivers,aswellasadditional memory. The test software is written both in the CHIP -8 interpretive language, for operator interface, and in COSMAC assembly language for con- duction of the the tests. All aspects of the tests, from transceiver control and message generation to bit error detec- tion and display, are performed by the VIPs. During the tests, the two VIPs alternate their functions. One unit acts initially as a transmitter controller and then as a receiver controller while the second unit performs the complemen- tary function. When both units have transmitted and received a message, they perform abiterror detection Paul Berrett operation, display the results for the Automated Systems test operator, and then resume the next Burlington, Mass. test cycle. Ext. 3793

66 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 An automatic ROM tester

In the mass production of systems MA 0 - MA 7 using read only memory (ROMs), the 5\/ ROM 1 0a D 7 factory test of the chips is often a MR D problem. At Automated Systems, this TPA difficulty was resolved by using a very Comparator simple 1802 microprocessor circuit, Ul U3. U4. I. with no memory. The advantage of using an 1802 ROM 2 :30- D7 microprocessor in testing of ROMs is quite easy to see-it eliminates the need for no less than 14 special cir- TPB cuits. With this computer -controlled Clear automatic equipment, 64,000 tests are 1/, executed in one-fourth of a second. Bad The simple circuit described below U2 Cik U6 performs an automatic functional test Debounce of CMOS ROMs. It works by comparing Rese Good each address location on a knowr- /l\\ good chip with the corresponding location on a chip under test, andthan all the rest of the unit, and would As an added bonus, if the instruction lighting an error lightif there is any also require at least some software to is an immediate type, the program discrepancy. be written. However, the 1802 requires counter will go twice as fast, com- These ROMs arenotstandard verylittlesupport hardwareina pleting an entire test cycle i I only one- memory components, but use a mul- minimum configuration (in this case a fourth second. On the 1802, the opera- tiplexed address bus peculair to thedebounced pushbutton for the reset, a tion code FF (SMI) serves th.s purpose. 1802 micro -processor. The one in-crystal for the clock and a handful of Once the address bus is taken care struction, subtract memory immediatepullup resistors to tie off unused in- of, the outputs of the two memory chips (SMI), is wired in. When the test button puts), and this lent attraction to the must be compared. Exclusive OR gates ispushed,the program computer idea. U3 and U4 compare the outputs, and resets to 0 where it sees the instruction Moreove:, there is no real need for a U5 ORs these together to produce an SMI wired in. The subtrahend is loaded program.If we use hardware com- error signal (see diagram). This signal, from P +1, subtracted from the ac- parators, all that is needed is a ploy to however, is only valid after the lower cumulator, and the P counter is index-cycle the program counter through all address is on the bus and before the ed to repeat the process. The testpossible memory locations. Any in- upper address for the next location sockets are addressed through 64,000struction which does not change the appears. The 1802 provides a signal, locations in 0.25 second and compared program counter will work. We do not TCB, during this period. This signal is in real-time. If a single address or data putthisinstruction in memory, used to clock the error signal into U6A, error occurs, it is permanently though - we wire it directly to the data where it is used to set a latch and light registered, and an error light is lit. bus with resistors. At the standard an error light. The 1802 presented the easiest way of 2.0 megahertz, the 1802 to generate the multiplexed address executeseachinstruction in8.0 and the propertiming signals. microsecondsandwillcyclethe Mike Gilbert Ordinarily,designing a micro- program counter through all 65,536 Automated Systems processor into a device this simplememory addresslocationsinap- Burlington, Mass. would require more hardware design proximately 0.5 second. Ext. 2872 Proud ofyour hobby? Why not share your hobby with others? Perhaps diverse as a satellite weat ler station, model aircraft their interest will make your hobby more satis- and railroading, solar heating, an an electronic fish fying. Or maybe you'll find others who already finder. share your hobby and who can help make your own efforts more rewarding. For more information on how you can participate in this feature of the RCA Engineer, call your local The RCA Engineer likes to give credit to engineers EdRep (listed on the inside back cover of the who use their technical knowledge away from the Engineer) or contact Frank Strobl (222-4220) or job. We've published articles about subjects as Betty Stotts (222-4255) at the RCA Engineer.

on the job/off the job 67 P.P. Fasang

Microprocessor/software-oriented educational program at RCA

Corporate Engineering Education offers a program con- sisting of ten microprocessor/software courses with broad audience appeal that will help technical personnel stay up- to-date.

manufacturers producing one or more placed on the central main-frame computer Abstract:This paper briefly describes the types. The Intel 8008 was the first general becomes less. In some instances as more history of microprocessors and their purpose 8 -bit microprocessor. It became microcomputers move into equipment, we applications. The computer! software widely available in 1972. This was followed approach having a "distributed - engineering curriculum, identified and by the Intel 8080 and then the Intel 8085, intelligence"system. An exampleisa developed for RCA's technical personnel, each "generation" being better than the grocerystorecheck-outcashregister is presented, along with the educational previous one because of improvement in system in which each cash register has a philosophy behind this curriculum. thedesign andinthe manufacturing certain amount of "intelligence." Current and future course offerings are processes. Microprocessors today find applications enumerated. RCA introducedthe1801 two -chip ranging from grocery -weighing scales to microprocessor in 1975. This was quickly intelligent computer terminals. The micro- replaced by the single -chip 1802 micro- processor has not only made system design Brief history of processor which employed silicon gate simpler (in terms of IC chip count), but also microprocessors CMOS technology. By 1976, there were more powerful in terms of computational over two dozen microprocessors available and logic capability. The understanding and market acceptance from over a dozen manufacturers. At RCA, microprocessors have been of any revolutionary new product are slow usedindifferent applications such as to come, particularly for a product as testingofvideodiscs,vehicleengine complex as the microprocessor. It took Microprocessors today testing, spacecraft command and control several years before systems designers fully systems, radar systems, telecommunica- understoodtheversatilityofmicro- Although less than ten years old, already tionequipment,andcomputer -aided processors. Also, before managers could microprocessors have changed the way manufacturing. justify using this device in new product many electronic systems are designed and lines, manufacturing processes had to be implemented.Themicroprocessorin- established and refined. dustry is probably the fastest growing one The program and philosophy Thefirst4 -bitcommercialmicro- today. Its effect on the economy has been processor, the Intel 4004, appeared on the qualified as the "second industrial revolu- Recognizing the importance of the micro- market in1971. This device, developed tion." A complete microcomputer can now processor, Corporate Engineering Educa- primarily for calculator -oriented be implemented on a single chip for a few tion (CEE) began the development of a applications,isa monolithic integrated dollarsinlargequantities.Itbrings computer/ software curriculumin1978 circuit (IC) employing large-scale integra- "programmedintelligence"toallthe (Fig. 1). The objectives of this curriculum tion (LSI) in metal -oxide semiconductor processes that surround us. are twofold. One is to help RCA technical ( MOS) technology. The 4004 was soon In a sense, we can say that the digital personnel who have no background in followed by a variety of microprocessors, computer is disappearing: it is being incor- microprocessors learn from ground zero with most of the major semiconductor porated into other equipment and systems. the essence of microprocessors so that they As more microprocessors are incorporated can make the transition in their design Reprint RE -25-3-15 Final manuscript received July 20, 1979 into equipment,the demand formerly work from using random logic to using

68 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 C71 programmable"intelligent"chips.The C70 CL70 C51 Software Engineering Programming Techniques Microcomputer Funclamonalls other objective of the curriculum isto Management L Lclufe Lab Lecture Lecture provide instructional material in an emerg- 4 ing discipline known as software engineer- dr C76 273 CL73 CLSI ing (Fig. 2). This discipline encompasses Nun erica! Analysis Real -Time Systems I Microcomputer Fundamen all Let 'We Lab Lab the process of specification, definition, 1 analysis, algorithm formulation, coding,

C56 verification, and measurement of perfor- Microprocessor -Based Real -Tine Systems 11 Systems Design I mance of computer programsatthe *Ctinently wadable Lecture application as well as the systems levels. CEE's philosophy in this curriculum, as CL56 Microprocessor -Based inothers,istoprovideeducational Systems Design I Lab materials to the broadest audience within the Corporation in such a way that the C57 materials are up to date, relevant and Microprocessor -Based Systems Design II applications -oriented,whilestillmain- Fig. 1. CEE'scomputer/software tainingahighdegreeoftheoretical curriculum is designed to aid RCA technical framework. Emphasis is on understanding personnel to learn microprocessors/micro- Microprocessor -Woad of basic concepts; thus, what the student computers and an emerging discipline, Systems Design It software engineering. learns is portable.

Course contents THE CPU FUNCTiori SPECIAL / 6 I!Ris4sreas nveyory contemi C51: Microcomputer Fundamentals ADO rassismarr blexsArx/rr (Lecture)is the first course in the micro- To CAW accessed Ly unifidehensery processor course series. It is an introduc- ADDRESSES DfOfrcr TED Rifosraves CAN tory course, covering such topics as binary CPU ihtern4 arckiileitirt DouItr As 6.P RibisrEIRS codes,logicgates,flip-flops,registers, Pli palaht LollsADDRESSES Fat TANA STOIA#E counters, binary addition and subtraction, gird CONTENTS to perform its Numser VARIES M'rN (Pm I Orr. VIP(VideoInterfaceProcessor) re fa, redfonds's:4 Or u.:ta AvAltAIi-E Re&/snr13 programming, subroutines, and input/out- put (I/O) structure of the RCA 1802 micro- processor. SPECIAL 'IMPOSE RIM. CL51: Microcomputer Fundamentals CPI/ ARCHITECTURE Laboratory Exercisesconsists of a series of a'I RLU si,rdd.iK tenlaboratoryexercises,eachtobe id 1' 4d. dila HCCUMULATOF? TICKod. de. Mc POINTER. programmed, tested, and debugged at an PROGRAM COUNTER RCA COS MAC VIP"' computer system. SPEC/GP. REGISTERS STORES ADDRESS CF Programming is done at the interpretive INSTRUCTION DECODE L As,- U;ED OR NEXT FREE CHIP -8 (Computer Hobbyist Interpreter ARP CONTROL Program) language level. Topics covered ri meLvoity DATA IOCA rio/I ROORE55 RND DA -R includethe UAINS A STACK 0p.AL. use of the audio cassette BUS CONTROL (ic airs) recorder as an I/O device, development of programs to obtain various video con- figurations by using programming techni- ques such as looping, branching, moving ARITHMETIC AND11061CUNIT images, and subroutines. ) C56: Microprocessor -BasedSystems -ADD 'POI Al TER. RESISTER. ADDER CIRCUITS Design I (Lecture)is the second course in SUBTRACT the microprocessor courseseries.This CONFLEmEwr CRT. MULTIPLY STORES ADDRESS OF course lays the theoretical framework upon ~mac- IOCA T/ON USED which applications can be created. Topics @SHIFT CIRCUIT - BOOLEAN FOR AIENORY REFERENCE covered include microprocessor organiza- tion, types of instructions, timing con- L061C CIRCUITS /NS rot uCr/oNs(8/4 aLr ge6) sideration, addressing techniques, memory and programmed I/O, interrupt and DMA Direct Memory Access) I/O, I/O com- =lg. 2. Each student receives extensive course material such as these sample visuals from munication, peripherals and peripheral in- the course, Microprocessor -Based Systems Design. Course handouts, including copies of all visuals, illustrations and tabular material used in the videotape lectures, eliminate the terfaces, microprocessor system develop- need for copious note taking during the lecture. The author (and artist) for this course isment aids, microprocessor family survey, Jospeh P. Paradise of the Solid State Division, Somerville, N.J. and system design considerations.

Fasang:Microprocessor/software-oriented educational program at RCA 69 CL56: Microprocessor -Based Systems Design I Laboratory Exercises consists of a In addition to microprocessor/ - series of eight laboratory exercises and a microcomputer and software four -week team project. Topics covered engineeringcourses,CEE offers include timing loops, keyboard interfacing, other courses to RCA personnel, display system memory mapping, serial such as communication theory, con- RCA data transfer, parallel I/O with examples trol systems, phaselock techniques, Engineering of handshaking protocols, interrupts and digitalsignalprocessing, Education the VIP display, and time and space mathematics, and optoelectronics. 1979-1980 optimization. The team project may be a For additional information or a copy combination of hardware and software or of the CEE catalog, contact your local software only. trainingofficeorcallMargaret C57: Microprocessor -BasedSystems Gilfillan, TACNET 222-5255. owe Design II (Lecture)iscurrently under development.Thiscourse is largely devoted to applicationsofmicro- processors in a wide range of uses. Case studies of microprocessor -based products, subsystems, and systems which have been developed and designed by RCA engineers constitute the major part of the course. Also included in the plan is a session on the demonstration of the utility of a general microprocessor -based design development system. CL57: Microprocessor -Based Systems DesignIILaboratoryExerciseswill supplement the lecture portion (C57), and will emphasize concepts underlying the development of a system or subsystem whichincludesbothhardwareand software components. C70/ CL70: Programming Techniques (Lecture! Lab) covers programming styles, methodology of development, structure, ease of testing and modification, documen- tation, and related considerations. Topics discussed include searching and sorting techniques, binary trees, data structures, linkedlists,stacks, queues, structured programming, and top -down programm- ing. 03/ CL73 and C74I CL74: Real Time SystemsI(Lecture! Lab)andII (Lecture! Lab) have not yet been developed. Although the contents of these courses have yet to be defined, the aim here is to identify and convey a set of software tools which can be used in real-time com- puter operating systems. C71:Soft wareEngineeringand Management is designed to give an overall perspective of software design. Topics covered include characterization of software, concept of data flow, control flow, software testing, software develop- ment processes, phases of development, required specifications and considerations Fig. 3. Top: Filling part of an ever-present need for associate instructors, Jim Gentry, GCS, Camden, holds a discussion at a pause point In a video tape in C51, Microcomputer on softwarereliability, and structured Fundamentals.Bottom: Jim is shown talking to a student in the laboratory course of CL51, programming. The overallsoftware Microcomputer Fundamentals Exercises. Associateinstructors are valuable assets to the development process is stressed from a success of the CEE program. management point of view.

70 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 C76: Numerical Analysisisthelast TableI. Current course offerings in the computer/software curriculum (as of July 1979). course in the present curriculum. The envisioned objective of the C76 course is to Course Released Enrollment -to -date introduce the course participants to the Microcomputer Fundamentals Lab (CL5I) June 1978 163 general subject of numerical techniques and to give them an appreciation of the Microcomputer Fundamentals Lecture/Lab (C5I /CL51) Sept. 1978 733 different approximation techniques for Microprocessor -Based Systems Design I Lecture (C56) Feb. 1979 198 computation made possible with the ad- Software Engineering and Management (C7I) May 1979 vent of modern computational techniques 26 and capabilities. The subject is sufficiently Two additional courses which became available in the fall are: general in nature so that participants who Microprocessor -Based Systems Design 1 Laboratory Sept. 1979 are engaged in diversified areas of technical Exercises (CL56) work which require computational results Programming Techniques(C70/CL70) Sept. 1979 can benefit from the course. Data not available at time of writing.

Current and future "play" with the microcomputer at leisure References and learn programming and interfacing course offerings 1 R( ,4Lngineering Education Catalog. 1979-1980, techniques at the same time. This is very published by RCA Corporate Engineering Educa- tion, Cherry Hill, NJ 08358, pp 10-19. Sixcoursesinthe computer/ software desirable because it makes learning fun, curriculm are now available. Over 1100 and with this in mind, CEE encourages 2. Shapiro. Louis, Ph.D., "Resources Available for engineers, technicians, and managers have more participants to have their own VIPs. Learning Computer Science," RCA Engineer, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp 12-19 (Apr./ May, 1978). enrolled in the four courses available dur- ing the 1978-79 academic year (Table I). 3. Intel MCS-85 User's Manual. Sept.1978.Intel The remaining five courses are in the early Conclusion Corporation, 3065 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara. CA 95051, pp 1-1. planning stages of development. They will 1 o meet the needs of rapidly changing very likely be developed in the order given 4. RCAMicroprocessorProducts: Program technology and to help the technical per- here: Development Guidefor the COS M A C sonnel to stay current, CEE is developing a Microprocessor, M PM -102, RCA Solid State Divi- Microprocessor -Based Systems Design IIcomputer/ software curriculum which has sion, Somerville, NJ 08876, p 2 (1975). Lecture (C57) two components: microprocessors and 5. RCA Microprocessor Technology: Twenty -Four software engineering. CEE is now past the Articles byRCA EngineersandScientists. Microprocessor -Based Systems Design II Microprocessors-DesigninTransformation, A midpoint of this development effort. Judg- special issue published by the RCA Engineer Staff, Lab (CL57) ing from the number of students enrolled in pp 76-89 (1977). the courses and the feedback received from Real -Time Systems I 6. Lewis, D., and Siena, W.R., "Microprocessors or Lecture/ Lab (C73/ CL73) them, the curriculum has been extremely Random Logic,"(three-partseries),Electronic well received. Design, Vol. 21, No. 18 (Sept. I. 1973). Real -Time Systems II Lecture/ Lab (C74/ CL74) Numerical Analysis Lecture (C76)

Lecture/lab combination

Whenever it is feasible, a laboratory course is offered to supplement the lecture course (Fig. 3). These labs have been very well received. They help the students obtain hands-on experience with what they are Pat Fasang is Administrator, Engineering learning, or already have learned, in the Education Programs, Corporate Research lecture class. and Engineering. He is engaged in cor- As part of the laboratory course offering porate education need assessment, course design and implementation, education con- and through the generous cooperation of sultation and is a co -developer of CL56, the Solid State Division, participants in a Microprocessor -BasedSystemsDesign microprocessor laboratory course may Laboratory Exercises. At present, he is purchase an RCA VIP microcomputer at a developingC57,Microprocessor Applications. price substantially lower than the list price. Contact him at: Thus far, through this offering, many ErgineeringEducation participants have purchased VIPs (Fig. 4). Cherry Fill, N.J. With a VIP at home, a participant can Ext. 502C

Fasang: Microprocessor/software-oriented educational program at RCA 71 L.J. Thorpe1R.A. Dischert

The TK-47 Autocam television camera

A built-in microcomputer makes camera alignment, once a time-consuming chore, a fifteen -second task.

complement of components, a fact which remains a necessity and the changing of a Abstract:The new TK-47 camera greatly still negates the dream of producingthe simplifies the chore of camera alignment, major component, such as a pickup tube, both for "major" or component - true "black box" camera. An optimum still requires a careful step-by-step realign- final picture requires many compensating ment, made more tedious by the inevitable replacement alignment and the "daily" pre - controls and an alignment procedure that compactness of such a camera's electronic use alignment .It does this by using detec- requires careful iteration and attention to tors to analyze video information from the packaging. many interacting parameters. The vagaries camera and it employs a microcomputer to compute corrections which are then in color -camera design have heavily hinged upon the placement of these controls, that The solution - transmitted back to the camera via a digital data bus. Alignment is very fast, taking is, whether they are located in the camera a digital memory head itself, in a remote camera control unit only fifteen seconds for the daily check, (CCU), or on a video operator's control However, a precedent had been set in and multiple alignments for different panel. camera design. The logical evolutionary operating conditions can be stored. advance from this point was to use a modern digital memory to store all of the The problem - camera alignment data that had been kept Despite the considerable simplification af- maintaining alignment in the bank of potentiometers, along with forded by the Plumbicon tube itself and the convenientelectronicaccesstothis incredible circuit versatility made possible Keepinga colorcameraaligned memory for periodic inspection, and when by the new integrated electronics, color optimally - be it studio camera, outside necessary, readjustment or updating. This television cameras are today complex and broadcast camera, or handheld portable conceptisthe basis of RCA's TK-47 sophisticatedsystems. The diversity in camera - remains a task involving dis- "Autocam" design. camera designs centers principally about ciplined realignment of pertinent controls. The development effort on the new TK- the optical splitting mechanisms and the Historically, this has been an undesirable 47 high -quality outside broadcast and attendant video -processing and picture - investment in time, effort, and finally, cost. studio camera was approached on three enhancement schemes employed. The art Today's small portable self-contained fronts: of color -camera design, however, stub- cameras, made possible by smaller pickup bornly remains one of careful extraction of tubes and more powerful integrated cir- I. The design of a basic camera that tiny electrical signals from photo -sensitive cuits, heralded the debut of the unattended coupled the best of prior art and ex- pickup tubes, followed by extensive elec- color camera. Now, cameras could operate perience with the innovations developed tronic correction and processing to com- satisfactorily for extended periods of time in the electronic news gathering (ENG) pensate for the ever-present aberrations of without the encumbrance of conventional type cameras to produce a highly stable, the camera's basic components, namely, sophisticatedtechnicalcontrolpanels. reliable, and simple camera chain. optics, pickup tubes, and yokes. However, these cameras remain unique in 2. The development of a control system The actual electrical corrections made in that their technical setup is based on a based on the concept of a digitally any camera are unique to its particular stable pre -alignment stored in dozens of storedsetup,residentwithineach

Reprint RE -25-3-16 potentiometerscontainedwithinthe camera chain; a remote control terminal Final manuscript received July 26. 1979. camera bodyitself.Periodic checkout giving rapid access to these memories;

72 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 and contemporary data -bus control for Camera Processor Unit -CPU streamlined interconnection of multi - Camera camera systems. This step is decisive, in Head that it completely eliminates 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111 potentiometer panels from each camera Light - chain, and does not preserve them as 4we ght secondary levels of control, as is the camera cable current practice for automatic cameras. Only by placing total reliance on the now -proven superiority of digital com- Twisted - pairs ponents over their analog counterparts, such as potentiometers, could we but- tress the claim of superior achievements in stability, reliability, and performance and the preservation of an inherent simplicity in each camera chain. Rem-Ite Control Unit-RCU 3. The refinement of this digital control system to embody a powerful automatic Fig.1. The TK-47 camera achieves and ma ntainsoptimum operational conditions automatically. capability for full technical alignment of a color camera, with absolutely no attendant complication of the camera the camera's central digital memory and so the advantages of digital storage while chain itself. sustains the analog setup adjustments(Fig. preserving the simplicity of direct analog 2). The microcomputer also supervises the control. using a surprisingly small amount The latter phase of the design program updating of this memory during camera of simple stable hardware. Where a mul- offered an exciting possibility to circum- alignment. with a setup terminal. The tiplicity of analog waveforms must be vent the dilemma formerly posed by earlier memory isa low -power CMOS RAM remotely controlled and assembled to attempts at automated setup. The concept made nonvolatile by battery backup. The produce registration and shading cor- of an updating control system which is RCA CD P1802 8 -bitmicroprocessor rections, a custom-built analog LSI chip truly supervisory, and not an integral part forms the nerve center of this micro- reduces circuitry substantially and of each camerachain,overcame the computer; its inbuilt direct memory access enhances circuit reliability and previously formidable limitations to the ( DMA) is used elegantly for the continuous temperature stability. successful of an automatic memory readout. One complete digital camera. umber, corresponding to one control func- tion in the camera, is read out during every The TK-47 automatic system television line at a rate synchronous with The TK-47 camera chain the camera's synchronizing system. This The basic manual controlling loop of the The camera head rate permits the complete sequence of TK-47 is formed by an operator's inter- camera adjustments (totaling more than polation of the many technical parameters The camera chain itself (Fig.1) centers one hundred) to be scanned every tv field. of the camera. It consists of using con- about a rugged camera head designed Asingle -wirecontrolsignal is ventional remote visual inspection of two carefully to the exacting demands of out- transmitted to the camera head, where it is camera monitoring video outputs (one for side broadcast applications. Innovations separately demultiplexed to actuate the a monochromepicturemonitorand such as a new precision yoke design, controls contained in the tube, scanning, anotherfora separate display on a isothermalcoolingtechniques,shock - and video circuits. This approach offers all waveform monitor and vectorscope), and mounted optics coupled with a 30 -mm tube system, RGB splitting optics, and a cast body supporting thelarge high -quality lenses, deliver superior picture quality un- 8 BIT 8 BIT OUTPUT ADDRESS der all dynamic scene conditions. The LATCH cameraheadconnectsvia asimple DATA lightweightflexible camera cable to a PROGRAM RAM ROM BATTERY single -frame camera processor unit (CPU), BACKUP which processes and finally encodes the SERIAL 8 BIT SERIAL DIGITAL TO DATA DIGITAL DATA BUS video signals generated in the head. This BIT STREAM PARALLEL 8 BIT TO CONVERTER OUTPUT ANALOG PAM unitalso serves as the central system LATCH CONVER -ER interface point for the camera chain.

AUTO 8 BIT SETUP WHITE OUTPUT 8 BIT LATCH SWITCHES INPUT The camera processor unit AUTO LATCH BLACK 8 BIT The CPU contains a simple rudimentary ICONTROL OUTPUT OPERATE DECODING LATCH SW TCHES microcomputer, contained on asingle - plug-in module, which continually reads Fig. 2. This block diagram shows the simple rudimentary microcomputer used by the TK-47.

Thorpe/Dischert: The TK-47 Autocam television camera 73 in turn sending back to the camera chain appropriate correcting or updating signals from a specially designed digital terminal STUDIO mounted intimately with these monitors (Fig. 3). When the camera is satisfactorily aligned, the monitors, the control setup terminal, and the operator can work DIGITAL MEMORY elsewhere - they'reneedednolonger. FIX MON VIDEO CAMERA That is, the supervisory elements can be PROCESSOR 111111111111111111111111111111111111111 WFM VIDEO detached, letting the camera operate for an UNIT 111111111111111111111111111111111111111 extended period as a stable black box. This WAVEFORM PICTURE scheme permits, for the first time, the entire MONITOR MONITOR camera chain to be totally controlled from a remote location (as far as 300 meters from the camera CPU). In fact, an entire system SETUP DIGITAL TERMINAL of camera chains canbe supervised, DATA monitored, and completely technically BUS aligned from this single remote location - a tremendous advantage in time, cost, and Fig. 3. Total supervision and control of the entire camera chain itself can be accomplished convenience. Multi -camera systems can from a remote location which may be as far away as 900 feet from the camera processing unit. now have, for the first time, high technical performance maintained with precision, module houses the detector system, the consistancy, and discipline. Generating the signals second an address generator, which takes If electronic sensors were developed The setup terminal developed for the digitalsignals derived from the video which could extract from these same two manual adjustment of the camera is a self- information on the diascope image and video monitoring signals all absolute and contained microcomputer with extensive then generates the data addresses directly. comparative status information relevant to capability. It can have any parameter of the the camera's technical alignment - and, if camera functions examined by signalling these sensors could be followed by a any needed combination of video signals Detecting and correcting decisionmaking systemwhichcould on the two monitoring outputs. In addi- activate the digital updating mechanism - tion, this terminal can, under software The detectors provide information that is then all the elements for an automatic control, dictate the sequence of signals to converted into digital numbers defining control loop would be realized. This fully be examined, and allow access to the absolute conditions, such as the black level automaticlevelofcontrolhasbeen appropriate memorylocationsinthe of one video channel, or differential con- successfully implemented in the TK-47 camera so that the camera function being ditions, such as relative positions of the red Autocam ( Fig. 4). examined can be adjusted. The addition of and green images in a particular portion of The key elements required for a reliable two plug-in modules to this terminal con- the raster. After these digital numbers are and precise approach to the automatic verts it to full automatic capability. One temporarily stored, the software assumes a alignment of an electronic system as com- plex as a color tv camera can be listed as follows. First, the system must have a carefully designedoptical source,which can inject as much detailed information into the camera STUDIO system as necessary, pertinent to the many camera parameters required to align a chain. Second, it must have adetector systemof high precision, reliability, and simplicity. The TK-47 uses a remarkably simple ap- CAMERA PIX MON VIDEO proach using only two detectors to sample PROCESSOR every function. The total approach is based UNIT WFM VIDEO upon the reduction of all measurements to time -intervalmeasurements, which are then performed digitally with a high degree of precision. 1 Third, there must be aprocessing system DIGITAL capable of identifying, processing, and DATA AUTOMATICS analyzing video signal data, and then BUS SETUP transmitting the digital correction data TERMINAL back to the camera for the necessary corrections. Fig. 4. A fully automatic control system has been implemented in the TK-47.

74 RCA Engineer 25-3 *Oct./Nov. 1979 leading role. Powerful algorithms make operate panel or by the cameraman from door lighting. Normally, these two con- decisions on which controls should be the rear of the camera. First, the electrical ditionswouldrequiredifferentbeam incremented; calculations are made when focus is examined (and readjusted only if settings, registration, etc., and so a com- necessary; correction data is computed, necessary), then the red and blue images pletereadjustment. Asimplerecall synchronized,multiplexed,and registration is checked relative to green, mechanism on the video operator's panel transmitted to the camera memory, mak- followedbyblackandwhitelevels, permits instantaneous conversion of the ingthefirstupdate.Theresulting shading, and finally a gray -scale balance. cameratoeithersetup.Conversion alterations in the camera functions are in Undernormalconditions,thisauto between these two setups is possible in- turn rescrutinized by the detectors and the checkout takes only ten to fifteen seconds definitely. The camera has upward of half a software uses the newly presented digital to scrutinize and readjust (if necessary) dozen such storage banks, which allow numbers to compute the next appropriate some 48 controls. This means a typical further flexibility in that other alignments, adjustments. This process continues until studio's complement of cameras can be for special effects, special lighting con- theoutputdataconvergesinsidea checked out automatically with a high ditions, or simple emergency backup, can prechosen measurement window. degree of consistency within a minute or be stored. These other banks are controlled Up to twenty controls are simultaneous- two, effectively eliminating what is con- from the setup terminal, or from the video ly manuevered when two images are being ventionally a lengthy and often stressful operator's remote control unit. registered. All the algorithms employed use daily task. multiplemeasurements andaveraging techniques to minimize errors caused by Additional pre-set alignments Conclusion video noise or positional uncertainties. The digital memory in each camera chain, The TK-47 Autocam fulfills a need ex- while physically small (two chips), has pressed during our 1976 worldwide market Major realignment extensive storage capacity that endows survey -a camera producing high picture each camera with some useful operational performancewithoutthetroublesome The automatic alignment system has been features. This memory is separated into technical attendance accompanying con- programmed to operate in two distinct discrete banks, each having a capacity to ventional color camera systems. In addi- modes for practical color camera use- store a total technical alignment of the tion, the decisive step into microprocessor major realignment and daily checkout. In camera. Thus, the TK-47 has the un- technology opens an avenue to forthcom- the first instance, the changing of major precedented ability of containing two com- ing developments of considerable import camera components, such as pickup tubes, plete alignments - one optimized for in- to tv program production. In the world of dictates a complete realignment of the door usage (with beams set for 3200° K broadcast,thetimes,indeed,"area- camera chain; the TK-47 system can per- lighting), and another optimized for out- c hangi ng." form this extensive alignment automatical- Larry Thorpe began his career in 1961 at the ly. The procedure isinitiated from the BBC Designs Dept. designing a variety of setup terminal's control panel and starts studio broadcast equipment. He came to withthe diascope being automatically RCA Broadcast Systems in Camden in 1966 broughtintotheoptical path of the where,as Senior Design Engineer, he worked on the design of various camera camera. The alignment itselfis in two equipment. As Unit Manager, Thorpe is phases. The initialseries of gross ad- responsible for the development of the TK- justments consists of reconstructing sensi- 47 Line Camera. ble images, setting the master size and Contact himat: aspect ratio of the green image, and making Broadcast Systems the coarseregistrationcorrection and Camden, N.J. precision setting of the beam. The final Ext. 4768 phaseincludesrefocusingtheimages, registering them prcisely, entering the RGB Bob Dischert joined RCA in 1954. When he video processing sequence, and finally first joined RCA, he was assigned to the Television Camera activity where he worked performing correction and gray -scale color on the first production color camera of the balance. The above alignment is obviously industry, the TK-41. He then moved to the notafrequentrequirement,butthe TV Terminal activity. He also made con- automaticsystemperformsthiscon- tributions to the transistorization of other TV ventionallytime-consumingprocedure Terminal products. He returnedtothe Cameraactivityandworkedthere rapidly and accurately. successively on a series of five TV cameras. He was recently transferred to the David Sarnoff Laboratories where he is continuing Daily alignment his work on Broadcast equipment. Contact himat: The automatic system also offers a very RCA Laboratories Princeton, N.J. attractive alternative to the daily Ext. 2330 "preflight" checkout normally performed on cameras before they go on the air. The O, automatic daily alignment can be initiated oas , yeimmtecsniaskit, from the vision control area via the remote

Thorpe/Dischert: The TK-47 Autocam television camera 75 F.A. EblelE.W. Richards, Jr.

Rapid RMA assessment the painless plot

Here are new software tools to quickly and easily transform your conceptual models for product reliability, mainta:nability, and availability into publication -quality output.

storage files, all contained on one digital 2. ROMs: Advanced Programming I or II, Abstract: The RECAP interactive tape cassette. RECAP also can be stored matrixoperations,stringvariables, desktop computer programs now in use at on a high-speed disk with 50 or more data plotter control RCA/Moorestown speed reliability, files. maintainability, and availability engineers 3. Printer, plotter Completedsystemanalysesare from preliminary modeling to final plotted transferred between the two programs and output. The analysis program,with 18 mathematical models and six operating in and out of storage by means of a COMMON datainstruction.Analyses The analysis program modes, handles most systems that can be may be recalled from storage by the represented by serially connected sub- analysis program for reprinting or editing, RECAP's analysis program accepts failure systems. The plotting program produces or by the plotting program for block rates from parts (or computer program) captioned block diagrams for these systems diagram generation. reliabilitypredictions, and repair times analyses. Tape files hold completed RECAPoperatesonanHP9830 from maintainability analyses. It models analyses for plotting or editing. RECAP calculator equipped with these accessories: most hardware (or software) systems that offers versatile options and conversational can be represented by successive levels of displays for user convenience. 1. RAM: 16 k (analysis program), 8 k serially linked subsystems. Figure 1 il- (plotting program) lustrates a simple system that RECAP can model in one step. The more complex Reliability, maintainability, and availabili- system, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, requires ty (RMA) engineers must perform many two steps. tasks in the analysis of systems. These tasks For each subsystem, RECAP computes include allocations, modeling, trade-offs, predictions for tracking and evaluating effective and gross failure rates, availabili- ty, mean time between failures (MTBF), reliability growth, and preparationof -I 1 - and either mean time to repair (MTTR) for reports and proposals. In the process of SUBSYSTEM 1 SUBSYSTEM 2 inherent availability calculations, or mean performing this work, the engineers must rely on many interfaces, such as con- Fig.1. RECAP can modelthissimple correctivedowntime(MCDT)for system in one step. operational availability. sultants,computers,typists,andil- lustrators. This paper describes RMA engineering computation and plot (RECAP), a com- puterized tool, developed at RCA, to turn early conceptual models of reliability, maintainability,andavailabilityinto publication -quality output. RECAP is a family of interactive BASIC language desktop computer programs in- cluding an RMA analysis program, a block diagram plotting program, and ten data

Reprinted with permission from Proceedings 1979 Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium. pp. 398-402, January 1979. Copyright 1979 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Inc. Fig. 2. This system requires two steps br modeling.

76 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 (name of stored system analysis, number of A system analysis is limited to 30 sub- = subsystems, MTBF, and availability)is systems in permanent analysis mode. IA EOUIV ALE NT printed. SERIAL BLOCK EnterI for preliminary analysis mode. IB Nextquestion:"DELETE(-1), This mode provides a flexible method for STEP I REPRINT (0), OTHER (1)7'Ifthe trialanalyses,sensitivity studies, and "delete" or "reprint" option is selected, the trade-offs. Subsystems can be added or .47/A operator must designate the tape file to be subtracted as desired. The left column addressed. An entry of 1 alerts the program shows thenumberofsubsystems to receive new input data, beginning with a analyzed at every step. Running totals of SUBSYSTEM I SUBSYSTEM 2 SUBSYSTEM 3 system name and selection of inherent or system failure rate and availability are STEP operational availability mode. printed to the right of every subsystem Fig. 3. Two-step RECAP analysis of com- Input dataisentered subsystem by analysis. plex system. subsystem. The mathematical model and During preliminaryanalysis,a new numerical parameters for each subsystem mode request is displayed after data entry Mathematical models are determined by the operator's responses for each successive subsystem. Entering I to the following sequence of questions. adds the subsystem; entering -1 subtracts The analysis program currently contains a Questions identified with an asterisk (C) are repertory of 18 mathematical reliability it and backdates system failure rate and asked only when applicable. availability. models (see Table I). It offers flexibility for refinement of these models and addition of Systems analyzed in this mode are not I. Number of operating units? (Entering 0 retained in the calculator's memory. A new ones as desired. ends the system analysis.) Subsystem input data not fitting one of preliminary analysis can be performed 2. Number of failures allowed? the models in Table I will be rejected, either withoutdisturbing the permanent immediately when the improper entry is 3. Active or standby redundancy? analysis that may be concurrently stored made, or by an error printout after all 4. Repairpolicy - deferredor in memory. There is no limit to the subsystem data has been entered. In this immediate? number of subsystems in a preliminary way the operator is protected from errors 5. Redundancy switch reliability? RECAP analysis. that could produce mathematically 6. Active unit failure rate? Enter 2 for revision mode. This mode meaningless results. 7. Standby unit failure rate? updates a previous permanent analysis by replacing any designated subsystem with 8. Unit repair time?* the subsystem that has just been entered. Displays 9. Subsystem repair (overhaul) time?* Enter 3 for addition mode. This mode 10. Subsystem overhaul cycle? updates a previous permanent analysis by The analysis program requests inputs by displaying messages on the HP9830's 32 - For instance, once the operator has defined character LED readout. Operator responses are integer codes (to specify a serial reliability model by specifying that courses of action) or input parameters. no failures are allowed, the only other Display messages have been phrased to parameters requested will be active unit failure rate and unit repair time. DELETE REPRINT provide maximum informationin Input data plus computed failure rate minimum space without sacrificing OE L SUE'S and availability are printed for every sub- FROM A MEV readability. ANALYSIS system (Figs. 5 through 7). The current The program sounds anattention - subsystem may be canceled at any time getting "BEEP" toalertthe operator N DATA whenever an entry isrequired. An ex- during data entry by entering -2. System tensive checking system causes rejection of results are printed when the analysis is out -of -range or illogical entries. When an ended. New input data can be processed in four CAL CU EDIT entry is rejected, the calculator "BEEPS" CATION again and repeats the question. ways. After the data for the first subsystem NODE' of a new analysis has been entered, the NATO display gives the operator a choice of these MODELS iN REVISE Program operation calculation modes: MELBA DR ADD, Enter 0 for permanent analysis mode. A streamlinedflow chartof analysis L INTER DATA AND OIL SLBSYS ADD SOWS This mode formats the data for storage, Of A EEL ANALYZE SUBSYSTEMS TO A PREY program operation (Fig. 4) shows various ANAL BID ANALYSIS operating modes. Refer to the illustrative plotting, and editing. Once permanent L _ _ NO 2 n analysis mode has been selected, the RECAP printouts in Figs. 5 through 7 END SYSTEM ANAL program is locked into that mode for all AND COMPUTE while reading the descriptions that follow. RESULTS subsystems until the system analysis ends. "NEED TAPE INDEX (1 = Y, 0 = N)" is In this mode, a name is requested for asked first. If 1 is entered, all ten tape files nom are searched and identifying data for each everysubsystem.Serial -modelsub- systems can be designated noncritical. Fig. 4. Various operating models are shown Reprint RE -25-3-17 Entering -1 for number of operating in this program flow chart for the RECAP Final manuscript received March 1, 1979. units cancels the last subsystem analyzed. ana ysis program.

Eble/Richards: Rapid RMA assessment-the painless plot 77 adding the subsystem that has just been plotting. Our system consists of (I) 100 - systemanalysis.Similarly,theradar entered. It may be inserted at any point, element phased array antenna, (2) twin system could be a subsystem in a higher or at the end. transmittermodules,(3)dual -channel level system analysis. receiver, and (4) signal processor with serial and parallel portions. Each sub- Phase I: Preliminary analysis with design The plotting program system might in turn represent a lower level changestomeet an allocation. An

RECAP'splottingprogramgenerates liberally captioned reliability block ***RECAP=RMA iiNGINEERING COMPUTATION AND PLOT.,. diagrams, suitablefor publication, for 4... -SYSTEM RMA ANALISISt**.. previously analyzed systems. Analysis data TIMES APE IN MRS can be transferred directly between the FAILURE RATES ARE IN FAILZMILL MRS programs or stored in a tape file for future plotting. CODE REDUNDANCY REPAIR 0 NONE OVEFHAUL CYCLE 1 ACTIVE IMMED/SGL UNIT 2 STANDBY IMMED,TIULT UNITS Displays SAMPLE RADAR SYSTEM The conversational display format of the kINHERENT AVAILABILITY, analysis program is repeated here, SOB 1:0 OP ALLW CODES ACT 'SEY MTIME °HAUL TOTAL although the operator -machine interface is SYS UNITS FAIL RED REP JNIT FR MTTR CYCLE FR'AVL

1 100 10 1 0 18.00 4.011 4380 33.46 less demanding. After a few initial inputs, 4.00 0.9999 0.9999 the operator's only tasks are changing the P.0.8637

paper and initiating the next page as each 2 1 1 1 4500.00 3.50 0 137.42 170.88 3.50 0.9995 0.9994 plotted page is completed. Receiver. S46sycilin ,IL.6e 2. O 425.20 2.25 0.9990

4 0 I 1 0 800.00 1.6T 0 1.6: Program operation ,e3ectread' 4./Ava.:=7"10/1 560.00 Before plotting begins, the operator is Detele. Recive.P 0.74 1.0000 212.60 25 0 -425.J,, given an opportunity to change the name of 2.2.25 Nes' Rece,ver--- ,. the system to be plotted, and to store the "re* et.//ogoltoo- 1 2 0 232.60 2.2.5. 72 9.87 `+81.6'7" renamed system. S1,71 PEL= 0.9950 0.00 2.25 1.0000 ul R. 0.9993 Block diagrams are plotted five sub- systems to a page (see Fig. 8). Most of the SYSTEM FAILURE PATE 981.68 input and output data contained in the GROSS FAILURE RATE = 13185.20 SYS MTBF = 1018.66 MTTR 1.96 analysisprintoutisduplicated on the plotted page,makingtheplotself- SYSTEM AVAIL 0.9981 sufficient for formal proposals and reports. Fig. 5. Preliminary analysis primp'''. Six basic subsystem formats are provided,representingsixclassesof models: 'SAMPLE RADAR SYSTEM I. Serial HHEPENT AVAILABILIT to UP ALLW roDU ACT SEY !VITAE OHAUL !JE,sY, TOT Al 2. Serial, noncritical SI', LAO'S FAIL RED PEP UNIT FR MTTR CYCLE FR AVL FR A., 3. Active redundancy, two active units ANT ELEMENTS -1 100 10 1 0 18.00 4.00 4380 33.46 4. Active redundancy, three or more active 4.00 0.9999 P= 0.8637 units TPANSI ITTERS 5. Standby redundancy, two units 2 1 1 1 4500.00 3.50 0 13,%42 3.50 0.9995 6. Standby redundancy, three or more RECEP,ER units 1:;,.60 SW REL.0.9950 0.002.2 1.0000 R. 0.999-

Up tosix pages of block diagrams, 1G HOC ...SER. 0 representing as many as 30 subsystems, can 4 1 0 u 1 ',00.00 1.6' 800.00 1.63 0.998:' be plotted to document a system analysis. F10( RED

Atitlepage summarizing theresults 2 1 -.60.00 1.4P 0.93 ( MTBF, MTTR or MCDT, availability) is 0.74 1.0000 produced to complete the package. S'.'SlEM FAILURE RATE GROSS FAILURE RATE = IA85.20

- 10i8.66 ATTP 1.98 Sample analysis SYSTEM AVAIL = 0.9981

DAT,-STORED IN FILE 5 This example traces a hypothetical radar system through four phases of analysis and Fig. S. Permanent analysis printout.

78 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 allocated failure rate of 1000 failures per slightly due to fault -sensing circuitry plotting. The preliminary printout in million hours (FPMH) must be met. The needed to trigger redundancy switching. Fig. 5is untidy, does not name the trial analysis shown in Fig. 5 initially In practice, the decision to add sub- subsystems, and was not retainedin predicts 1397 FPM H. A new receiver systemredundancywouldinvolve memory. Fig. 6 shows the permanent configuration employing a standby unit technical and cost tradeoffs. analysis of the system configuration is substituted, and the requirement is which evolved in Phase 1. The printout met; receiver unit failure rate increases Phase 2: Permanent analysis, stored for confirms storage in tape file 5.

Table I. RECAP mathematical models.

Simul. Unit Oper. Allow. Repair Model Units Failures Redundancy Repair Capability Aeff = Subsystem Failure Rate

1 M 0 None Immed. Single MX

2 M M None Immed. Single 0 N InR(T). ! 3 M N ,(M-k)XT 11.e-XT)k Active Defer NIA - T where R(T) = E k=o

4 2 1 Active Immed. Single 20/(Y + 2A)

5 3 1 Active Immed. Single 6X2/(p + 31) Y3 + 3p2x + 60,2 6 3 2 Active Immed. Single P(1-A):A where A Y3 .i. 3p2)' 6px2 + 6x3

x N+1 7 M N Active Immed. Single p(1-A)/A where A = 1-(sA=) II 8 2 1 Active Immed. Multiple 212/(µ + 21)

9 3 1 Active Immed. Multiple 6X2/(P + 31)

m3 .4. 31,21+ 30,2 10 3 2 Active Immed. Multiple 3µ (1-A)/A where A p3 + 3p2X + 3m12 + X3

-MA N (MX y 11 M N Active Immed. Multiple (N +'(p (1-A)/A where A = e p E \ M k=o k!

InR(T) -MAT N 12 M N Standby Defer N/A where R(T) = e (Raid T Ek- k=o or (see Note 2) N ( i-e-XsT)kr(+k) -MAT E As R(T) = e k=o 1(k+1)1*() Xs

13 1 1 Standby Immed. Single 12/(µ X)

14 2 1 Standby Immed. Single 412/ip 21) 3+ ki2), + 02 15 1 2 Standby Immed. Single µ(1-A)/A whereA -µ p3 p2X + MX2 + X3

16 1 1 Standby Immed. Multiple X2/(y+ A)

17 2 1 Standby Immed. Multiple 412/(14 + 21)

6p3 ... 6p2x + 302 18 1 2 Standby Immed. Multiple 3p(1-A)/Awhere A - 6p3 ... 6p21 ... 30,2 4, x3

A = Active Unit Failure Rate T = Overhaul Cycle 4 - Standby Unit Failure Rate R,= Standby Switch Reliability

/A = Unit Repair Rate

NOTES: 1. Immediate Repair Models - see Acknowledgment 2.Formula for Standby Redundancy with Standby Unit Failure Rate - see Reference 3.Models 3, 7, 11, and 12 involve approximations 4.Large T values for Models 3 and 12 may cause inaccuracies in system results when serially combining subsystems

Eble/Richards: Rapid RMA assessment-the painless plot 79 Phase3: Updatetoreflectreliability SAMPLE RADAR SYSTEM (REVISED) growth.Developmentofa higher

NHEPENT AVAILARIL I T1 reliabilitytransmittingtubereduces 'All,Iit OP RUN iODES ACT -s. MT I ME OHAJL SUBSYS TOTAL 1NITS FAIL RED REP UNIT FR MTTP C .CLE FR.'-AVL FR AVL transmitter module failure rate. This UPDHTi: SAMPLE RADAR SYSTEM changeisreflectedintherevision FROM FILE documented inFig.7. The RECAP N TO TRAILS 'II TIERS analysis program prints only the edited 1 1 1 451.10 . 00 s.5. subsystem plus the new system totals

II. .r when operating in an update mode; 1 1 3000. 00 3.50 however, the entire analysis can be reprinted at any time. to,.of Lit:Ss."-.' 1E = 5 ('311:N FRILIJIE FAIE Phase 4: Plotting of updated analysis for i;RO,s FAILHFE FATE = publication. The plotting program goes MUT = I1 . MT IP = to work; its output is reproduced in Fig. 8.System and subsystem names are centered automatically.

DfiTISTORED IN FILE 5 Fig. 7. Revision mode printout. Looking ahead

RECAP is adaptable to execution on the later generation H P9845 computer system, Rl 15ED using the integralprinter -plotterto SYSTEMiRL.Y515 ( REV pot ' R produce block diagrams. Models can be RADRRR added to expand its versatility. A space - SAMPLE saving plot option - ten subsystems per svfnowoy, PER eittl.tos INHERENT sec905.96OupsrptORES page with minimal printed area - may be ppiE rpiLupE incorporated in the plotting program. SysTEs HOURS 1123.28 The authors hope that this article and the .g, tiou0s MTOF SYSTEM mini -analysis above have communicated MIIR SYSTEM %.9963 the central message of RECAP - AVOILOILITY SYSTEM computers are not forbidding and remote; they can be as personal, as productive, and R M A ANALYSIS SAMPLE RADAR SYSTEM (REVISED) as painless as you wish to make them in your everyday work. INHERENT AVRILAGILITY PAGE 2 ANT ELEMENTS TRANSMITTERS RECEIVER SIG PROC (SCR) SIG PRIX (RED)

3 2 Acknowledgment

Equations for immediate -repair models in 2 I -I 3 I- Table were provided by William J.

UN TS/FRILS O'Leary of RCA/ MSR.

108 / 11 2 / 2 / I I / 0 2 / REPAIR PERIODIC ON SINGLE UNIT PERIODIC ON SINGLE UNIT MULTIPLE UNITS OCT FR 12.88 3001.00 232.68 000.00 560.82 SIT FR/SNAEL B.28/ 0.9952 Reference REP(OM)TIME 4.00) 3.511 2.2S) 1.63 1.40 ON CYCLE 4300 72 I. Thompson, R.J., "A Generalized Expression for the EFFFR Reliability of a System Utilizing Standby Redun- 33.46 21.72 9.87 000.00 0.93 ErrRVL dance,"Aerospace CorporationReport TOR - 0.9999 0.9995 1.0000 0.9907 LW= ErrREL 1001(2303) -I (Aug. 5, 1966). 8.8637 2.9993 ErrMTTR 4.08 3.50 2 ZS 1.83 0.74 Fig. 8. Block diagrams are plotted five subsystems to a page.

Frank Eble joined RCA in1960. He is Earl Richards is currently workingin the currently responsible for logistics engineer- areaofreliabilitypredictioninMSR's ing of MSR-designed equipment for the Technical Assurance activity. Hejoined AEGIS Weapon System. RCA in 1959. Contact him at: Contact him at: Missile & Surface Radar Missile & Surface Radar Moorestown, N.J. Moorestown, N.J. Eble Is seated at the terminal while Richards Ext. 2555 Ext. 3768 watches as data is being input for plotting.

80 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Dates and Deadlines

Upcoming meetings FEB 25-28, 1980-COMPCON Spring '80 posium (R, ED) Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, (C) Jack Tar Hotel, San Francisco, CA Prog NV ProgInfo:Glen T.Cheney,Bell Ed. Note: Meetings are listed chronological- Info: Harry Hayman, P.O. Box 639, Silver Laboratcries, 555 Union Blvd.. Allentown, ly. Listed after the meeting title (in bold type) Spring, MD 20901 (301-439-7007) PA 18103 (215-439-7628) are the sponsor(s), the location, and the person to contact for more information. FEB 26-28, 1980 -Laser and Electro-Optical APR 1980 -Intl. Conf. on Acoustics, Systems/Inertial Confinement Fusion Speech and SignalProcessing (ASSP, (QEA, OSA) Town & Country Hotel, San IEEE), Fairmount Hotel, Denver, CO Prog DEC10-15,1979 -InfraredandNear Diego, CA Prog Info: Joan Connor, Optical Info: J. Robert Ashley, Univ. of Colorado, Millimeter Waves (MTT) Americana of Bal Society of America, 2000 L Street N.W. Coll. of Engr. & Appl. Sci., Dept. of Elec. & Harbour, Miami Beach, FL Prog Info: K.J. (Suite 620), Washington, DC 20036 (202- Comp. Engr., 1100 14th Street, Denver, CO Button, MIT National Magnet Lab., Cam- 293-1420) 80202 (303-629-2554 or 2872) bridge, MA 02139 (617-253-5561) MAR 3-5, 1980-NCC Office Automation APR 13-16, 1980-Southeastcon '80, DEC 12, 1979 -Computer Networking Sym- Congress (C) Prog Info: Harry Hayman, Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN Prog Info: posium (C, NBS) Gaithersburg, MD Prog P.O. Box 639, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (301- LarryK.Wilson, Box 1687, StationB, Info: Harry Hayman, P.O. Box 639, Silver 439-7007) Nashville, TN 37235 (615) 322-2771) Spring, MD 20901 (301-439-7007) MAR 4-6, 1980 -International Zurich APR 21-23, 1980 -American Power Con- DEC 12-14, 1979 -18th Conference on Seminar on DigitalCommunications ference III. Inst. Tech., PES & 8 other engr. Decision and Control (CS) Galt Ocean Mile (SwitzerlandSec. COM (Cooperating)) societies, Palmer House, Chicago, IL Prog Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL Prog Info: Prof. Swiss Federal Institute of Tech. on Digital Info:R.A. Budenholzer,246E-1, IIT, Stephen Kahne, Dept. of Systems Engineer- Communications, Zurich, Switzerland Prog Chicago, IL 60616 (312-567-3196) ing, Case Institute of Technology. Case Info: Prof. P.E. Leuthold, Eidgenossische Western Reserve Univ.,Cleveland, OH Technische Hochschule Zurich Irstitut Fur APR 21-24, 44106 (216-368-4076) 1980 -Intl Magnetics Conf. Hochfrequenztechnik, Sternwartstrasse 7, (INTERMAG)(MAG),BostonSheraton Zurich, Switzerland (Tele.: T41-1-326211) JAN 7-9, Hotel, Boston, MA Prog Info: D.I. Gordon, 1980 -PacificTelecom- Naval Surface Weapons Center, White Oak munications Conference (COM) Ilikai Hotel, MAR 11-14. 1980 -Computer Architecture Lab., Silver Spring, MD 20910 (202-394- Honolulu, HI Prog Info: Richard J. Barber, for Non -numeric Processing 5th Workshop 2167) 2424 Maile Way, #704, Honolulu, Hi 96822 (C)Pacific Grove, CA Prog Info: Harry (808-948-7879) Hayman, P 0. Box 639, Silver Spring, MD APR 28-30, 1980-Internation Radar Con- 20901(301-439-7007) ference (IEEE, AES, IEEE Wash. section), JAN 7-10, 1980 -Photovoltaic Specialists Stouffer's National Center Hotel, Arlington, Conference (ED) Town & Country Hotel, MAR 16-18,1980 -ParticleAccelerator VA Prog Info: R.T. Hill/J. Kalitta, c/o Con- San Diego, CA Prog info: Prof. C. Backus, Conference (NPS) Prog Info: Dr. Louis ference Office, 777 14th St., NW Suite 917, Arizona State Univ., Coll. of Engr. & Applied Castrell, NPS Meetings Coordinator, Washington, DC 20005 (202-637-4217) Science, Tempe, AZ 85281 (602-965-3857) National Bureau of Standards, C333 Radia- tion Physics, Washington, DC 20234 APR 28-30, 1980 -30th Electronic Com- JAN22-24, 1980 -Reliability& Main- ponents Conference (CHMT, EIA) Hyatt tainability Symposium (R) San Francisco MAR 17-2C, 1980 -Industrial Control & In- Regercy San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Hilton and Tower, San Francisco, CA Prog strumentationApplicationsofMini& Prog Info: Dr. N.J. Gisler, Electro Scientific info: A.M. Smith, General Electric Co., Fast Microcomputers(IECI)Sponsors:IECI, Industries, 13900 N.W. Science Park Dr., Breeder Reactor Dept., 310 De Guigne Dr., Sheraton Hotel, JFK Blvd., Phila, PA Prog Portland, OR 97229 (503-641-4141) M/C/S-65, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408-297- Info: Patrick P. Fasang, RCA Corp., Route 3000, Ext. 627) 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08358 (609-338-5020) APR 28-30, 1980 -Circuits and Systems Intl. Symposium (CAS) Shamrock Hilton JAN 28-30,1980 -Integrated & Guided MAR 24-25, 1980 -Radio Transmitters and Hotel Houston, TX Prog Info: Prof. R.J.P. Wave Optics (QEA, OSA) Hyatt Lake Tahoe, Modulation Techniques (IEE, IERE) IEE, DeFigueiredo, General Chairman, Dept. of NV Prog Info: Joan Connor, Optical Society Savoy Place,London, WC2 ProgInfo: Electrical Engineering, Rice University, P.O. of America, 2000 L St., NW, Suite 620, Conference Dept., IEE, Savoy Place, Lon- Box 1892, Houston, TX 77001 (713-527- Washington DC 20036 (202-293-1420) don WC2R OBL, England 8101, ext. 3568) JAN 29-31,1980 -Aerospace and Elec- MAR 24-27, 1980 -Magnetic Fluids 2nd Intl. MAY 12-15,1980 -Industrial and Com- tronic Systems Winter Convention (WIN - Con]. (MAG) Marriott Inn, Orlando, FL Prog mercial Power Systems Conference (IA, CON) (AES, Los Angeles Council) Sheraton Info: Markus Zahn, Dept of EE, Univ. of IEEE,HoustonSection),Stouffer's Universal Hotel, N. Hollywood, CA Prog Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 (904-392- Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX Prog Info: Info: Philip G. Halamandaris, Gould Inc.,- 4964 Ofc., 904-392-4960 Sect.) Baldwin Bridger, Powell E'ect. Mfg. Co., NAVCOM Systems Div., 4323 Arden Drive, P.O. Box 12818, Houston, TX 77017 (713- El Monte, CA 91731 (213-442-0123, Ext. 602) APR 7-11. 1980 -Optical Computing Intl. 944-6900) Conference (C)HyattRegency, FEB 13-15, 1980 -Intl. Solid State Circuits Washington, DC Prog Info: Sam Horvitz, MAY 13-15, 1980-Electro (IEEE sponsors) Conference (SSC, San Francisco Sec.) P.O. Box 274, Waterford, CT 06385 (Office: Reg 1, New Eng. Council, METSAC, (ERA, Hilton Hotel, San Francisco, CA Prog Info: 203-447-4270, Home: 203-442-0829) NewEng. &N.Y.chapters),Boston - Lewis Winner, 301Almeria Ave., Coral Sheraton Hynes Auditorium, Boston, MA Gables, FL 33134 (305-446-8193) APR 8-10, 1980 -Reliability Physics Sym- Prog Info: Dale Litherland, Electronic Con -

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 81 ventions, Inc., 999 N. Sepulveda Blvd., El JUNE 8-11, 1980-Intl. Conference on Com- Segundo, CA 90245 (213-772-2965) munications, Red Lion Inn, Seattle, WA Prog Calls for papers Info: W.W. Keltner, Room 1402, 1600 Bell Ed. Note: Calls are listed chronologically by MAY 19-20, 1980-Southeast Symp. on Plaza, Seattle, WA 98191 (206-345-3999) & meeting date. Listed after the meeting (in System Theory (C), Old Dominion Universi- (206-655-3601) ty, Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA Prog bold type) are the sponsor(s), the location, Info: Harry Hayman, P.O. Box 639, Silver and deadline information for submittals. Spring, MD 20901 (301-439-7007) JUNE 9-11, 1980-Intl. Symposium on Elec- JAN 7-10, 1980 -14th IEEE Photovoltaic MAY 28-30, 1980-Intl. Microwave Symp. trical Insulation (IEEE) (El) 57 Park Plaza Specialists Conf., San Diego, CA Deadline (MTT)ShorehamAmericanaHotel, Hotel, Boston, MA Prog Info: Dr. H. St. info: 7/15/79 300 -word abstract to: Charles Washington, D.C. Prog. Info: Lawrence R. Onge, IREQ-Hydro Quebec Instituteof E.Backus, College of Engineering and Whicker, Naval Research Lab Code 5250, Research, P.O. Box 1000, Varennes, PQ, Applied Sciences, Arizona State University, Washington, DC 20375 (202-767-3312) Canada, JOL 2 PO (514-652-8420) Tempe AZ 85281

Penand PodiU MRecent RCA technical papers and presentations

To obtain copies of papers, check your library or contact the author or his divisional Technical Publications Administrator (listedon back cover) for a reprint. Americom International Technical Symposium & In- J.F. Weiss strumentation Display, San Diego, Calif. Fault isolation speed-up for LSI boards- J. ChristopherIJ.E. Keigler (8/79) IEEE Test Conference '79, Cherry Hill, N.J. The RCA Americom satellite com- (10/79) municationssystem -30thInternational R.T. CowleyIR.E. Hanson Astronautical Congress, Munich, Germany New generation of combat vehicle field test Broadcast Systems (9/17-22/79) systems-Military Electronics Defence Expo '79, Wiesbaden, Germany (9/79) S.L. Bendelll C.A. Johnson Matching a new tube to the TK-47 camera- Astro-Electronics S.H. EamesIE.L. Naas SMPTE (10/22/79) Automation of decision making logistic J. Blankenship' Col. J. McGlinchey support -14th International Logistics Sym- R.N. Hurst Evolution of the Block 5 spacecraft to meet posium, Clearwater, Fla. (8/79) Automatic television camera with micro- changingmilitaryneeds-MilitaryElec- processor control-IEEE (9/20/79) tronics Defense Exp (MEDE) 1979, A. EiranovalJ.E. Fay Wiesbaden, West Germany (9/25-27/79) Can software portability alleviate prolifera- W.S. Sepich tionheadaches?-AUTOTESTCON '79, EDICS-Engineering Drawing information F. Chu Minneapolis, Minn. (9/20/79) and Control System-American Inst. of Ind. A turbidity current model-Oceans IV Con- Engineers (9/27/79) ference, San Francisco, Ca. (9/13/79) R.E. HansonIH.L. Resnick R.M. Unetich F. Drago$H. HawleyIH. HuangIB. Dornan STE-T, a forward area automated test New opportunities in television transmitter C -Band FET power amplifier for TWTA systems for combatvehicles -design-IEEE FallSymposium, replacement -30th International Astro- AUTOTESTCON '79, Minneapolis, Minn. Washington, D.C. (9/21/79) nautical Congress, Munich, Germany (9/79) (9/79)

J. KeiglerIJ. Christopher D.M. KuligIR.C. PlaistedIT.J. Plunkett Government The RCA Americom satellite com- Equipment specification for ATE Communications Systems municationssystem -30thInternational testability-AUTOTESTCON '79, Minn- Astronautical Congress, Munich, Germany eapolis, Minn. (9/19/79) D. Hampel (9/79) Application of VLSI to smart sensors- K. PhillipsIG. Schmidt N.L. Laschever MEDE, Wiesbaden, Germany, Proceedings (9/26/79) Post launch design & implementation of a Where we stand-Editorial for IEEE Reflec- tor (9/79) S/Cmomentumbiasattitudecontrol A. Kaplan ID. Sherwood system-AIAA Guidance & Control Con- ference, Palo Alto, Calif. (8/6/79) MASS: A modular ESM signal processor- F.F. Martin MEDE, Wiesbaden, Germany; Proceedings The GVS-5, aversatile handheld laser (9/9-12/79) rangefinder for tactical use-Military Elec- tronics Defence Expo '79, Wiesbaden, Ger- Automated Systems many (9/25/79) D. Sheby On the tracked vs. wheeled vehicle dis- M.J. Cantellal B. Capone (RADC) criminationproblem: avehicle -ground W. Ewing(RADC)IJ.J. Klein J.P. Mergler coupling feature-Sensor Technology L. Skolnick (RADC)IR. Taylor (RADC) A natural command languagefor Cl Symposium (US Army WaterwaysEx- A TV compatibleSchottkybarrier applications-Military Electronics Defence perimental Station, Vicksburg, Miss.) monolithic IRCCD focal plane-SPIE 23rd Expo '79, Wiesbaden, Germany (9/25/79) Proceedings (9/25-27/79)

82 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 D.B. Wolfe ping criteria for numerical processes-BIT, E.G. Lurcott Natural frequencies and mode shapes of pp. 278-281 (1979) (Sweden) System tinctional analysis and functional multi -degrees of freedom systems on a allocation-Summer Course: Combat programmablecalculator-Vibrations Systems Engineering and Ship Design, MIT, Meetings '79 ASME Design Conference. Missile and Surface Radar Cambridge, Mass. (8/79) Proceedings (9/9-12/79) S. AbbottlC.T. Schilsky F.E. Oliveto The interfacebetweenreliabilityand The role of science and technology in the Laboratories systems design-RCA Reliability and Quali- future-U.S. Association of the Club of ty Symposium, RCA Princeton Labs (10/18- Rome, Ar.ington, Va. (10/8-13/79) 19/79) D. BoteziM. Ettenberg M H. Plofker Comparison of surface- and edge -emitting K. AbendIJ.R Platt System Disciplines-Summer Course: LEDsforuseinfiber -optical Extrapolatingbandlimitedsignalswith communications-IEEETransactions on Combat Systems Engineering and Ship noise and quantization-RADC Spectrum Design, MIT, Cambridge, Mass. (8-79) Electron Devices, Vol. ED -26, No. 8 (8/79) Estimation Workshop, Griffith AFB, N.Y. (10/3-5/79) Proceedings R.S. Crandall I R. Williams' B.E. Tompkins R.J. Renfrow Collection efficiency measurements on a- B.F. Bogner Topside design, radar, Topside design, Course:Combat Si:H solar cells-J. Appl. Phys., 50(8) (8/79) Vehicular traffic radar-IEEE Phila. Section, weapons-Summer Phila., Pa. (9/25/79) Systems Engineering and Ship Design, MIT, D.A. de Wolf Cambridge, Mass. (8/79) Depolarization term of the wave equation- F.J. Buckley J. Opt. Soc. Am., Vol. 69, No. 9 (9/79) ManagementofRT programming- E.E. Roberts Lecturer;2 -day continuingprofessional Error budgeting; Alignment and ship's S. Freeman education seminar sponsored by Drexel flexure-Summer Course: Combat Systems Optimumfaultisolationbystatistical University,Phila.,Pa.(10/9-10/79): San Engineering and Ship Design, MIT, Cam- Inference-IEEE Transactions on Circuits Francisco, Calif. (10/17-18/79); Phila., Pa. bridge, Mass. (8/79) and Systems, Vol. CAS -26, No. 7 (7/79) (10/23-25/79) G.J. Rogers J.J. Hanak F.J. Buckley Supportsystems,mechanical-Summer Monolithic solar cell panel of amorphous A standard for software quality assurance Course: Combat Systems Engineering and silicon-Solar Energy. Vol. 23, pp. 145-147 plans-Computer, Vol. 12, No. 8, pp. 43-50 Ship Design, MIT, Cambridge, Mass. (8/79) (1979) (8/79) H. Kiess R.M. ScudderlL.H. Yorinks F.J. Buckley Low sidelobe reflector antenna for tactical ElectrophotographicprocessesinZnO Software quality assurance standards- layers-Progress Science, Vol. 9, radars-Antenna Applications Symposium, COMPCON Fall '79, Microprocessor Univ. of Illinois, Digest (9/26-28/79) pp. 113-142 (1979) Technical Standards Panel (Session 10), Washington, D.C. (9/5/79) H.P. Kleinknecht D. Shore Diffraction gratings as keys for automatic L.L. Coulter Survivable C3-Military Electronics Defence alignmentinproximityandprojection Automated test system for phased array Expo 79, Wiesbaden, W. Germany, printing-SPIE Developments in Semicon- antenna-Tri-Service Manufacturing Proceedings (9/25-27/79) ductor Microlithography /V,Vol. 174 (1979) Technology Conference, Phoenix,Ariz., Proceedings (' 0/22-25/79) D. Staiman K. KnopJH.W. Lehmann IR. Widmer Automated near field antenna test set for Microfabricatlon and evaluationofdif- R.C. Durham phased arrayproduction-Antenna fractive optical filters prepared by reactive EMC testprocedurefor ABC system Applications Symposium, Univ. of Illinois, sputter etching-J. Appl. Phys. 50(6) (6/79) operationsroom upgrade equipment- Digest (9/26-28/79) Communicating Professional Ideas, M.D. H. Kressel Morris writing -course booklet D. Staiman Semiconductorlightsourcesforfiber optical communication-Fiber Optics: Ad- Automated near -field antenna test set for I.E. Goldstein phased array production-Antenna vancesinResearch and Development Introduction; Topside design, other; Com- (1979) Measurements Symposium, Atlanta, Ga., bat system integration; Computer/digital Digest (10/17-18/79) technology; Room arrangements-Summer G.H. Olsen IC.J. NueselM. Ettenberg Course: Combat Systems Engineering and S.A. Steele Reliability of vapor -grown InGaAs and In- Ship Design, MIT, Cambridge, Mass. (8/79) GaAsP heterojunction laser structures- Software modularity and its impact on flex- IEEE J. of Quantum Electronics, Vol. QE -15, W.A. Harmening ibilityin military systems-Military Elec- No. 8 (8/79) tronics Defence Expo '79, Wiesbaden, W. Implementing a near field antenna test Germany, Proceedings (9/25-27/79) facility-Microwave Journal, Vol. 22, No. 9, J.I. Pankove pp. 44-55 (9/79) Field-indured population inversion of dis- J.T. Threston tantdonor -acceptorpairs-IEEETran- P.R. Kalata Combat systems performance tradeoffs: sactions on Electron Devices, Vol. ED -26, Linear prediction, filtering, and smoothing: analysis; detection; control; missile; No. 8 (8/79) an information theoretic approach- AEGIS-Summer Course: Combat Systems International Journal of Information Engineering and Ship Design. MIT, Cam- J.I. PankovelW.V. Hough Sciences, Vol. 17, pp. 1-14 (2/79) bridge, Mass. (8/79) Optical properties of boron hydride BH - J. Appl. Phys. 50(9) (9/79) R.E. Killion R.B. Webb Achievingreliabilityinunattended Support systems, electrical-Summer R.S. Stepleman systems-RCA Reliability and Quality Sym- Course: Combat Systems Engineering and Monotone convergence and effective stop- posium, RCA Princeton Labs (10/18-19/79) Ship Design, MIT, Cambridge, Mass. (8/79)

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 83 Patents

Commercial Carlson, D.E. Wolkstein, H.J.iGoel, J.IRosen, A. Amorphous silicon solar cell allowing in- Microwave power limiter comprising a dual - Communications Systems frared transmission -4166919 (assigned to gate FET-4167681 U.S. government) Dischert, R.A. I Bendell, S.L. Video image highlight suppression circuit Catanese, C.A. with delayed compensation -4166281 Image display device with ion feedback Missile and Surface Radar control and method of operating the same - Dischert, R.A.IThorpe, L.J. 4164681 Profera, C.E. Setup control unit for television cameras - Antenna feed system -4163974 (assigned 4167022 Curtice, W.R. to U.S. government) Katagi, K. Time interval measurement -4165459 Woodward, O.M. Reduction of targetshiftIn coordinate Rotary joint -4163961 converter -4164739 Curtice, W.R. Threshold gate -4166965

Gange, R.A. Consumer Electronics Cathode and method of operating the Picture Tube Division same -4167690 Steckler, S.A.' Balaban, A.R. Calamari, J.A., Jr. Tuning system including a memory for Hanak, J.J. Method for salvaging the light -absorbing storing tuning information with user con- Cermet layer for amorphous silicon solar matrixandsupportof aluminescent trolsarrangedtofacilitateits cells -4167015 screen -4165396 programming -4164711 Holmes, D.D. Nubani, J.I.IMuenkel, R.L. Stewart, M.C. Suppressionofluminancesignalcon- Stem -sealing method for assembling elec- trontubesincludingimprovedcullet Locking mechanism for record package - tamination of chrominance signals ina 4164782 video signal processing system -4167020 collection -4165227 Peer, J.C. t Dietz, W.F. Gries, R.J. Nero, L.W. Holmes, D.D. Overvoltage protected de -boost regulator - 4169241 Suppression of chrominance signal con- tamination of the luminance signal in a video RCA Records signal processing system -4167021 Willis, D.H. Khanna, S.K. Switching regulatorfor a television PVC molding composition -4168256 apparatus -4163926 Kaganowicz, G. Method of depositing a silicon oxide layer - Willis, D.H. 4168330 Automatic peak beam current limiter - Matsumoto, Y SelectaVision 4167025 Video disc pickup apparatus -4164755 Burrus, T.W. Matsumoto, Y Noise reduction apparatus -4167749 Government Method for manufacturing a diamond stylus Communications Systems for video disc players -4165560 Nostrand, G.E.1 Hanak, J.J. Bessette, O.E.IGriffin, J.S. Solid State Division Method of removing the effects of electrical Rotatingheadrecorderwithdifferent shorts and shunts createdduring the recording and playback speeds -4167023 Ahmed, A.A. fabrication process of a solar cell -4166918 Television kinescope protection circuit - Corsover, S.L. 4164687 (assigned to U.S. government) Film guide for optical scanners -4168506 Stanley, T.O. Phosphorscreenforflatpanelcolor Ahmed, A.A. display -4166233 Inverting buffer circuit -4166964 Laboratories Toda, M.IMatsumoto, Y.IOsaka, S. Nyul, P. Disc record groove skipper -4164756 Electroluminescent semiconductor device Carlson, D.E.IWronski, C.R. having optical fiber window -4167744 Schottky barrier amorphous silicon solar Williams, R.IWoods, M.H. cell with thin doped region adjacent metal Method of testing radiation hardness of a Petrizio, C.J. Schottky barrier -4163677 semiconductor device -4168432 AC voltage regulator -4J68476

84 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Engineering News and Highlights

J. Edgar Hill appointed Wright Heads Duffy joins Corporate Division Vice President Astro-Electronics Engineering Education

J. Edgar Hill was appointed Division Vice Paul E. Wright has been appointed Division EdwardDuffyjoined RCACorporate President andGeneralManager, Com- Vice President and General Manager, Astro- Engineering Education as Administrator, mercial Communications Systems Division, Electronics,Princeton,N.J.Mr.Wright Technical Education Programs, in October on June 12,1979. Before assuming his came to Astro-Electronics late last year as 1979. Previously, he was a Principal Instruc- present position, Mr. Hill was Division Vice Division Vice President, Operations, after torfo- Process ControlDivision of President and General Manager, Broadcast serving for more than a year as Division Vice HoneywellatFort Washington,Pa.His System, apositionhe hadheldsince PresidentEngineering,Government responsibilities, besides teaching, were the January 1977. For the preceding five years Systems D'vision. Previously, Mr. Wright development of course programs which he was Division Vice President, Broadcast had been Director of the Division's Ad- includedmicroprocessor -basedsystems Marketing. vanced Technology Laboratories(ATL), and electric control system analysis. He also Mr. Hill joined RCA in 1935 and servea in Camden, N.J. He joined RCA in 1958 and taught a bio-medical system course and was manufacturing and design engineering until had held a number of engineering posts at the International Technical Support Advisor transferring to sales in 1947. He was a sales ATL, including Manager, Applied Physics for the oio-medical instrumentation division engineer for RCA broadcast equipment in and Mechanics, and Manager, Advanced of Smith Kline Corporation. Mr. Duffy will be New England for seven years, when, 'n 1954, Mechanica Technology. Mr Wright holds involved with the identification of RCA's he was reassigned to the Camden home severalpatents andisthe author of a technical educational needs and with the office and promoted to area sales manager. number of technical papers in the fields of implementation of courses to meet those In July 1969 he was appointed to the post of electronics, thermodynamics, and needs Manager, International Sales, for the divi- mechanics sion.

Staff announcements Commercial J. Peter Bingham, Division Vice President, Engineering, announces the organization of Communications Systems New ProductsLaboratoryasfollows Eugene Lemke, Chief Engineer, Television Advanced Development; Robert M. Rest, Jerry L. Copeland is appointed Dwision Vice Manager. Digital Systems. Americom President and General Manager, Mobile Communications Systems. He will report to Jame* A. McDonald is appointed Manager, J. Edgar Hill, Division Vice President and Display Systems. He will cortinue to report JohnChristopher,VicePresident,an- General Manager, Commercial Com- to Eugene Lemke,Acting Manager, nounces theorganizationofTechnical munications Systems Division. Engineering Development. Operations as follows: Walter H. Braun, Director, Systems and Advanced John C. Peer is appointed Manager, Televi- Technology Engineering; Paul W. DeBaylo, sion :Systems Development. He will report to Manager, Reliability and Quality Assurance: Consumer Electronics Eugene Lemke, Chief Engineer, Television Murray Fruchter, Director, Terrestrial Advanced Development. Systems Technical Operations; Peter H. Plush, Manager. Programs and Technical Eugene E. Janson is appointed Manager, Dal F. Griepentrog is appointed Manager, Operations Services; Joseph J. Schwarze, Technical Support and Product Reliability. Engineering.He willreport to Loren R. Manager, Space Systems Technical He will report to J. Paul Belanger, Director, Wolter, President and General Manager. Operations. Product Assurance. RCA Taiwan, Limited.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 85 Bernard Hershenov, formerly Head, Energy Alfred J. Schick from Member, Engineering Systems Analysis, has been named Director Staff, to Manager, Technical Support/VCR. of the newly formed Solid State Device Laboratory. He reports to Henry Kressel, Staff Vice President, Solid State Technology. Picture Tube Division

Bernard Hershenov, Director, announces the organization of the Solid State Devices Charles W. Meredith fromAssociate Laboratory as follows: Richard Denning, Member, Technical Staff, to Manager, In- Manager, Advanced Power Engineering - strumentation Engineering. Somerville; Michael Ettenberg, Head, Op- toelectronicsDevicesandSystems Research; Henry S. Sommers, Jr., Fellow, Technical Staff; Bernard Hershenov, Acting, Solid State Division Control and Energy Management Systems; Charles J. Nuese, Head, Silicon Device Research;Jacques I.Pankove,Fellow, Al A. Key from Leader, Technical Staff, to Judy Yeast is new Ed Rep Technical Staff. Manager, Product Engineering.

Judy Yeast has been appointed an Editorial Robert D. Lohman, Director, announces the Walter F. Lawrence from Senior Member, RepresentativefortheSolidState organizationofVideoDiscSystems Technical Staff, to Manager, Tooling and Technology Center. She succeeds Leslie Research Laboratory as follows: Marvin Product Engineering. Adams who has taken an educational leave. Blecker,Head,SystemsEvaluation Ms. Yeast joined RCA inAugust as Research; Jon K. Clemens, Head, Signal Joseph P. Paradise from Member, Technical Technical Programs Administrator. SystemsResearch;JamesJ. Gibson, Staff, to Leader, Technical Staff. Previously she has worked in Data Manage- Fellow, Technical Staff; Robert D. Lohman, mentforTexasInstruments,and was Acting, Player Research; John A. van Raalte, Randy Rhodes from Member, Technical responsible for preparing environmental im- Head, Video Recording Research. Staff, to Leader, Technical Staff. pact statements for Southern California Edison Company. Daniel A. Walters, Director, announces the Nicholas Kucharewski from Leader, As EdRep,JudywillassistSSTC organization of the Communication Technical Staff, to Manager, Design engineers with papers for the RCA Engineer Systems Research Laboratory as follows: Engineering. and inform the editors of new developments, Emilie M. Lengel, Manager, Data Com- professional activities, awards, publications munications and Computer Applications; and promotions in her area. LeonardSchiff,Head, Communications Analysis; Paul Schnitzler, Head, Transmis- Professional Activities sionTechnology;HaroldStaras,Staff Staff announcements, continued. Scientist, Satellite Programs. RCA Engineers speak at Edward C. Douglas is appointed Manager, Global Communications Advanced Process Technology. He will the American Institute of report to IsraelH.Kalish, Manager, In- Industrial Engineers tegratedCircuit Design and Process Dean R. Ferguson is appointed to the newly Development. Region VIII Annual created position of Manager, Operations, West Coast. In his capacity, Mr. Ferguson Conference will be responsible for coordinating all in- stallations and maintenanceof data John W. Freeman, Gerry L. Teague and terminals and circuits and supervising all Solid State Division Dave Mishra spoke at the Region VIII Annual Technical personnel in the Western Region. Conference on "Proven Techniques for He willreport to David Mer, Manager, Reducing Indirect Labor Costs," which was Operations and Engineering. held on October 26, 1979, at the Hilton Inn in Donald W. Laird, Jr. is appointed Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the aims of Administrator, Integrated Circuits the conference were to provide useful tech- Administration. He will report to Richard C. niques for the measurement and improve- Laboratories Pinto, Division Vice President, Integrated mentofproductivity intheindustrial Circuits. environment. The design and development Brown F. Williams, Director, announces the of a universally -applicable, computerized organization of Display and Energy Systems LarryJ.Gallaceisappointed Director, system for labor and activity control of Research Laboratory as follows: David E. Quality and Reliability Assurance. He will distribution and warehousing operations Carlson, Head, Photovoltaic Devices report toCarlR. Turner, Division Vice were discussed. Research; Richard Williams, Fellow, President, Product Assurance and Plann- Technical Staff; Joseph J. Hanak, Fellow, ing. Dave Mishra, Chief Engineer, RCA Records, Technical Staff; Arthur H. Firester, Head, was the conference chairman and gave the Process and Applications Research; John P. welcomingspeech.John W.Freeman, Russell, Head, Display and Device Concepts Leader of Systems and Industrial Engineer- Research; Robert W. Shisler, Manager, Ad- ing at RCA Records, and Gerry L. Teague, vanced Development - Yokes (Lancaster); Promotions Senior Industrial Engineer at RCA Records, Frans Van Hekken, Manager, Advanced spoke on "Computerized Multi -Attribute Development - Electron Guns (Lancaster); Labor Control System for Warehousing." Peter J. Wojtowicz, Head, Electron Optics Consumer Electronics Some ofthe items discussedincluded and Deflection Research; P. Niel Yocom, characteristics of warehousing and order Head, DisplayMaterialsand Process picking operations, requirements for perfor- Research; Karl G. Hernqvist,Fellow, Dal F. Griepentrog from Manager, Project' mance measurement, design and develop- TechnicalStaff;Simon Larach,Fellow, Engineering, toManager,Resident ment of computerized labor control, and the Technical Staff. Engineering. cost -benefit evaluation.

86 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 , ,.. technical excellence

Moorestown announces seven seco-id-quarter 1979 it, 1 Technical Excellence AwardWinners Conn Johnson Seven Technical Excellence Awatlis were alignment requirements for the AN/SPY-1A presented to Missile and Surface Radar array artennas, off -array waveguides, and personnel during the second quarter 1979. transmitters. Hisknowledgeof AEGIS The award winners and brief summaries of equipment,ship design, and alignment i the citations are given below. techniques has expedited the AEGIS ship- builder's design task and will simplify the A.A. Conn - for directing the computer AN/SPY-1A installation. iikip-7/ program furctional integration task leading to the successful Navy OT-IIIB test at the T.H. Mehling - for technical contributions CSED Site in May. The integration involved and pe-sonal dedication exhibited in the Chi programs aggregating more than 700 thou- ntegration of the AEGIS tactical software at sand words,in19 computers. His out- the CSED Site during Navy test OT-IIIB. His Ketcik Lutz standing leadership in this area was a key intimate knowledge of AEGIS software and contribution to RCA exceeding its planned AN/UYK-7 computer hardware were impor- goals for 0T -111B. tant elements in ensuring the timely integra- tion of five major AEGIS elements and two R.S. Johnson-for his contribution to the large simulator systems. planned updating of BMEWS (Balistic Mis- sileEarly Warning System).His com- G.P. Sampson-for design and implemen- prehensive analyses led to simulations that tation of computerized database systems firmly established sizing of the main com- used to produce the AEGIS Ship Combat putersrequiredforupgraded BMEWS System cable detail design and installation forward site operation. His tradeoff studies drawingsand equipmentconfiguration were largely responsible for the decision to definition documents. His two systems were upgrade, instead of replace, the existing vital ii supporting the on -time delivery of Alsphling Sampson BMEWS radars. the first in a series of cable drawings and configuration definition documents. J.M. Ketclk - for technical direction of the integration and test of the AN/SPY-1A com- J. Stnp - for outstanding contributions to puter program Element Test Function (ETF) AEGIS Weapon System development and and the AN/SPY-1A ETF/ORTS fault detec- testin:. As coordinator of the DDG 47 tion system. He was a principal driving force Baseline Review Committee he led a team inthe effortthatledto the integrated that achieved significant simplifications in AN/SPY-1A ETF/ORTS system successfully the computer programs for AEGIS C&D and tested by the Navy during Operational Test WCS In addition, he proviced a systems - OT-IIIB at the AEGIS CSED Site. level approach to coordinating and simplify- ing trte OT-IIIB integration and test ap- M.J. Lutz-for his leadership of a major proach, enabling successful, on -schedule Strip definition effort involving emplacement and operational tests at CSEDS.

GCS presents Technical Excellence Awards Licensed engineers

winners andbriefsummariesoftheir When you receive a professional license, citations are given below. send your name, PE number and state in which registered, RCA division, location, Jim Daniel-for his highly innovative work and telephone number to RCA Engineer, in the conceptual design and detailed circuit Bldg. 204-2, RCA Cherry Hill,N.J. New developmertfortheSmallTerminal listings (and corrections or changes to Modem. Jim's task was to develop a modem previous listings) will be published in each with state-of-the-artperformance ex- issue. ceedingthatof competitive equipment design, in a package a fraction the size of the competitive equipment. His accomplish- Missile and Surface Radar ment in meeting this difficult objective was a highly professional and commendable ef- P.R. Kalata, NJ; 26010 Daniel Levin fort.

Stephen E. Levin - for his outstanding work Obituary eratum. Dr. George Robert Shaw's The Technical Excellence Committee at on the Maroon Archer Program. (Since obituary in the Aug./Sept. 1979 issue of the Government Communications Systems has information regarding this program is con- RCA Engineer should have also stated that presented two awards for outstanding and fidential, we are unable to give the full he ,teceivedhis Ph.D. degree from the innovative accomplishments. The award citation for this award at this time.) University of Wisconsin in 1920.

RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 87 Corporate Quality & Reliability Symposium Held at DSRC A Corporate symposium on Quality and Reliability was held at the David Sarnoff First -Day Session: - Research Center in Princeton on October 18 Quality & Reliability-Impact on ProfitIbIlity and 19. The major theme of the symposium was"Quality & Reliability-Impact on Profitability." The comprehensive program covered reliability systems and techniques "Quick Analysis of Test Rejects H.S. Baird used in both commercial and government and Repairs-the DARTS System" RCA Laboratories units of RCA. "Design for High Reliability and D.I. Troxel Low Cost" Government Communications Systems Ed Schecter of Astro-Electronics served as chairman for the symposium which was "Reliability of Unattended Equipment" R.E. Killion attended by 100 people. Missile and Surface Radar Three invited executives presented their "Low -Arc Picture Tube Development C.W. Thierfelder views of RCA's approach to quality. William Using Statistically Designed F.J. Hinnenkamp D. Shainin C.Hittinger,ExecutiveVicePresident. Experiments" Picture Tube Division Research and Engineering delivered the "Reliability Growth Testing" E.B. Gamble opening address. Avionics Systems Mr. Hittinger noted that in today's environ- "The Interface Between Reliability C.T. Schilsky ment of intense international competition and Systems Design" Missile and Surface Radar and increasing consumer expectations and demands, outstandingquality/reliability "Using Standards for Reliability W.S. Sepich and life must be designed into a product Results" Broadcast Systems starting at the day of product introduction. "Software Reliability" D.C. Bowen He pointed out that the discipline required Government Communications Systems to do the job right the first time includes scrupulouslyestablishing and following "Do MIL Spec Quality Systems Pay W.E. Bradley G.J. Buchko effectivedesignruleswithoutaccom- Off in the Commercial World?" Electro-Optics and Devices modative deviations and the need for dis- ciplinedteamworkbetweenmarketing, "Data Reporting via PMC" J.W. Gaylord engineering and manufacturing. Solid State Technology Center "Process Control Feedback Utilizing G.J. Glering W.J. Willoughby, Deputy Chief of Naval Manufacturing Attributes Planning Electro-Optics and Devices Materials. RM&Q, was the invited luncheon speaker of the first day. Mr. Willoughby System stated that semiconductors represented one of the two major quality problems in military equipment. He described how screening represented a cost-effective approach and discussed some of the methods preferred by the Navy. Second -Day Session: New Technology Impact on Reliability DuringtheseconddayRoyPollack, Executive Vice President, noted that good quality is good business. He stated that the word "quality" also covered reliability and "High Reliability vs. Chip Complexity" J. HllibrandjK.R. Anderson safety. The mission of the quality experts is Government Systems Division to develop a true quality climate throughout it involves entering "Design to Unit Cost Production F.P. McGurk the Corporation even if Problems" Automated Systems the confrontation zone between quality and immediate P&L objectives. He then backed "The Reliability Engineering Laboratory L.H. Gibbons up his belief that good qualityis good Organization and Functions in the Solid State Division business by recounting the horrendous Solid State Division (including Step recall costs incurred by industry due to Stress Testing and Real -Time faulty product, that quality determines our Indicators)" competitive position and market standing and that quality represents the best in- "RCA Americom Quality Assurance: P. DeBaylo tegrating report card to grade business. Measurement and Action" Americom

All the talks presented at the symposium "Measuring Quality of Service" J.E. Steoger were videotaped. The videotape is being Service Company made availableto RCA unitsthrough "IC Reliability Assurance Plan" H.E. Elrod Engineering Education in Cherry Hill. For Consumer Electronics information on getting this videotape, con- tact Margaret Gilfillan on TACNET 222, ext. 5255.

Most ofthepapers presentedwillbe published in the RCA Engineer, Dec./Jan., Vol. 25, No. 4.

88 RCA Engineer 25-3 Oct./Nov. 1979 Editorial Representatives

Contact your Editorial Representative, at the extensions listed here, to schedule technical papers and announce your professional activities

CLYDE HOYT'Indianapolis, Ind.Ext. 5208 Broadcast Systems FRANCIS HOLT Indianapolis, Ind.Ext. 5217 PAUL CROOKSHANKS Indianapolis, Ind. Ext. 5080 BILL SEPICH' Camden, N.J.Ext. 2156 STEVE RACE Indianapolis, Ind.Ext. 5636 KRISHNA PRABA Gibbsboro, N.J.Ext. 3605 DON WILLIS Indianapolis, Ind.Ext. 5883 ANDREW BILLIE Meadow Lands, Pa.Ext. 6231 Mobile Communications Systems KARL NEUMANN' Meadow Lands, Pa.Ext. 6444 W.M. WORKMAN' Indianapolis, Ind. Ext. 3235 Avionics Systems STEWART METCHETTE Van Nuys, Cal Ext. 3806 JOHN McDONOUGH Van Nuys, Cal. Ext. 3353 JOE STEOGER* Cherry Hill, N.J.Ext. 5547 Cablevision Systems RAY MacWILLIAMS Cherry Hill, N.J.Ext. 5986 DICK DOMBROSKY Cherry Hill, N.J. JOHN OVNICK* N. Hollywood, Cal. Ext. 241 Ext. 4414

Astro-Electronics ED GOLDBERG' Princeton, N.J.Ext. 2544 CHARLES REARICK* Deptford, N.J.Ext. 2299 Automated Systems KEN PALM' Burlington, Mass.Ext. 3797 PETER DIACONOFF Burlington, Mass. Ext. 2975 ED MADENFORD* Lancaster, Pa.Ext. 3657 NICK MEENA Circleville, OhioExt. 228 Government Communications Systems JACK NUBANI Scranton, Pa.Ext. 499 J.R. REECE Marion, Ind.EXT. 5566 DAN TANNENBAUM* Camden, N.J.Ext. 3081 HARRY KETCHAM Camden, N.J.Ext. 3913 Government Engineering MERLE PIETZ* Camden, N.J.Ext. 2161 MURRAY ROSENTHAL' Piscataway, N.J. Ext. 4363 GSD Staff ED MOORE* Cherry Hill, N.J.Ext. 5833 WALT LEIS* New York, N.Y.Ext. 7711 Missile and Surface Radar DON HIGGS' Moorestown, N.J.Ext. 2836 JACK FRIEDMAN Moorestown, N.J.Ext. 2112 DAVE DEVARAJAN* Indianapolis, Ind.Ext. 6109 Solid State Divisiuli

JOHN SCHOEN' Somerville, N.J.Ext. 6467 Power Devices BOB MAUSLER* New York, N.Y.Ext. 4385 HAROLD RONAN Mountaintop, Pa.Ext. 633 or 27 SY SILVERSTEIN Somerville, N.J.Ext. 6168 JOSEPH TRIPOLI Princeton, N.J.Ext. 2992 Integrated Circuits FRED FOERSTER Somerville, N.J.Ext. 7452 Research and Engineering JOHN YOUNG Findlay, OhioExt. 307 Corporate Engineering Electro-Optics and Devices HANS JENNY* Cherry Hill, N.J.Ext. 4251 RALPH ENGSTROM Lancaster, Pa.Ext. 2503 Laboratories *Technical Publications Administrator, responsible for MAUCIE MILLER Princeton. N.J.Ext. 2322 review and approval of papers and presentations. JUDY YEAST Somerville, N.J.Ext. 7357 RCA Engineer A technical journal published by Corporate Research and Engineering "by and for the RCA engineer"

Printed in the U.S.A. Form No. RE -25-3