article

Development of on-board space computer systems

Authors:

W. T. ChowAuthors Info & Claims

IBM Journal of Research and Development, Volume 20, Issue 1

Pages 5 - 19

https://doi.org/10.1147/rd.201.0005

Published: 01 January 1976 Publication History

Abstract

This paper describes the functions, characteristics, requirements, and design approaches of the on-board computers for seven space vehicles-Saturn I, Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, Gemini, Saturn IB, Saturn V, Skylab, and Space Shuttle. The data contained in this paper represent an encapsulation of sixteen years of space-borne-computer development. In addition, the evolution of computer characteristics such as size, weight, power consumption, computing speed, memory capacity, technology, architectural features, software, and fault-tolerant capabilities, is summarized and analyzed to point out the design trends and the motivating causes. The evolution in utilization of the on-board computers; their interface with sensors, displays, and controls; and their interaction with operators are summarized and analyzed to show the increasing role played by computers in the overall space-vehicle system.

References

[1]

W. T. Chow, "Airborne Computer Technology," Proceedings of the Tenth Space Congress, Cape Canaveral, Florida, April 1973; published by the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies.

[2]

T. B. Lewis, "Primary Processor and Data Storage Equipment for the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory," IEEE Trans. Electronic Computers EC-12, 667 (1963).

[3]

K. E. Harris, "Electronic Packaging Design for the OAO Primary Processor and Data Storage Equipment," Proceedings of the Fourth International Electronic Circuit Packaging Symposium, Boulder, Colorado, August 1963; published by Plenum Press, New York.

[4]

J. E. Anderson, "Seven Years of OAO," TR 68-825-2244, IBM Federal Systems Division, Owego, New York, April 1968.

[5]

C. W. Mathews, "The Gemini Program," Astronautics & Aeronautics 2, 22 (November 1964).

[6]

W. J. Blatz, R. F. Pannett, E. L. Salyers, and G. J. Weber, "Gemini Design Features," Astronautics & Aeronautics 2, 30 (November 1964).

[7]

R. R. Carley, C. D. Babb, and J. H. Slavin, "Inertial Guidance System Performance Review Gemini 7/6 Mission," presented at the 18th National Aerospace Electronics Conference, Dayton, Ohio, May 1966; abstract only published in the Proceedings by the Dayton IEEE Section.

[8]

J. C. Hundley and R. A. Watson, "A Digital Computer in Orbital Flight," TR 63-825-892, IBM Federal Systems Division, Owego, New York, October 1964.

[9]

J. L. Gross, "Real Time, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation Verifies Performance of Gemini Computer and Operational Program," TR 66-825-1788, IBM Federal Systems Division, Owego, New York, January 1967.

[10]

M. M. Dickinson, J. B. Jackson, and G. C. Randa, "Saturn V Launch Vehicle Digital Computer and Data Adapter," AFIPS Conference Proceedings, 26, Fall Joint Computer Conference, 1964, pp. 501-516; published by Spartan Books, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland.

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R. E. Lyons and W. Vanderkulk, "The Use of Triple Modular Redundancy to Improve Computer Reliability," IBM J. Res. Develop. 6, 200 (1962).

Digital Library

[12]

W. D. Chubb and S. M. Seltzer, "Skylab Attitude Control and Pointing Control System," Technical Note NASA TN 0-6068, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Washington. D. C., February 1971.

[13]

P. A. Castruccio and J. E. Irby, "All-Digital Attitude Control System for Skylab," Proceedings of the Fifth IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Space, Genoa, Italy, June 1973; available in microfiche, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, New York, order A74- 39489.

[14]

T. R. Coon and J. E. Irby, "Skylab Attitude Control system," IBM J. Res. Develop. 20, 58 (1976, this issue).

Digital Library

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F. J. Hudson, "Large Space Telescope," IBM J. Res. Develop. 20, 67 (1976, this issue).

Digital Library

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A. E. Cooper and W. T. Chow, "Shuttle Computer Complex," Proceedings of the Sixth Triennial World Congress, IFAC 1975, Boston/Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 1975.

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J. R. Sklaroff, "Redundancy Management Technique for Space Shuttle Computers," IBM J. Res. Develop. 20, 20 (1976, this issue).

Digital Library

Cited By

Samet R(2009)Design and implementation of highly reliable dual-computer systemsComputers and Security10.1016/j.cose.2009.04.00328:7(710-722)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2009
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.cose.2009.04.003
Nakka NChoudhary A(2009)Failure data-driven selective node-level duplication to improve MTTF in high performance computing systemsProceedings of the 23rd international conference on High Performance Computing Systems and Applications10.1007/978-3-642-12659-8_23(304-322)Online publication date: 14-Jun-2009
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/978-3-642-12659-8_23
Olsen POrrange R(1981)Real-time systems for federal applicationsIBM Journal of Research and Development10.1147/rd.255.040525:5(405-416)Online publication date: 1-Sep-1981
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1147/rd.255.0405
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cover image IBM Journal of Research and Development

IBM Journal of Research and Development Volume 20, Issue 1

January 1976

87 pages

ISSN:0018-8646

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Publisher

IBM Corp.

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 January 1976

Revised: 27 August 1975

Received: 09 June 1975

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Cited By

Samet R(2009)Design and implementation of highly reliable dual-computer systemsComputers and Security10.1016/j.cose.2009.04.00328:7(710-722)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2009
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.cose.2009.04.003
Nakka NChoudhary A(2009)Failure data-driven selective node-level duplication to improve MTTF in high performance computing systemsProceedings of the 23rd international conference on High Performance Computing Systems and Applications10.1007/978-3-642-12659-8_23(304-322)Online publication date: 14-Jun-2009
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/978-3-642-12659-8_23
Olsen POrrange R(1981)Real-time systems for federal applicationsIBM Journal of Research and Development10.1147/rd.255.040525:5(405-416)Online publication date: 1-Sep-1981
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1147/rd.255.0405
Tartar JBradshaw CSherman G(1980)Multiprocessor hardwareProceedings of the ACM 1980 annual conference10.1145/800176.810010(518-526)Online publication date: 1-Jan-1980
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/800176.810010
Davies DWakerly J(1978)Synchronization and Matching in Redundant SystemsIEEE Transactions on Computers10.1109/TC.1978.167514427:6(531-539)Online publication date: 1-Jun-1978
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TC.1978.1675144
Coon Tlrby J(1976)Skylab attitude control systemIBM Journal of Research and Development10.1147/rd.201.005820:1(58-66)Online publication date: 1-Jan-1976
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1147/rd.201.0058
Avižienis A(1976)Approaches to computer reliabilityProceedings of the June 7-10, 1976, national computer conference and exposition10.1145/1499799.1499859(401-411)Online publication date: 7-Jun-1976
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1499799.1499859
Aviziens A(1976)Fault-Tolerant SystemsIEEE Transactions on Computers10.1109/TC.1976.167459825:12(1304-1312)Online publication date: 1-Dec-1976
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/TC.1976.1674598

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