VTS PROCESSING/DISPLAY SUBSYSTEM DESIGN

A distributed function, multiple bus coupled minicomputer system architecture will be used for the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Processing/Display Subsystem. Four critical issues are examined including: Reliability; Programming Language Selection; Interprocessor Bus Design; and Multicomputer Operating System Design. System availability requirements can be met with partial redundancy with software controlled reconfiguration and recovery based on both hardware and software error and failure detection. PASCAL is the best programming language available for VTS. A relatively low cost interprocessor bus capable of transmitting at 1.5 megabits per second can be built using off-the-shelf LSI components. The VTS operating system will feature explicit message and answer communications between processes for interprocess communication and synchronization. Error detection and reporting and system reconfiguration and recovery will be controlled by the operating system. The top level of the software design is structured as a group operating system. The top level of the software design is structured as a group of cooperating sequential processes which use the operating system facility for interprocess communication and synchronization, providing flexibility in assigning processes to processors. Hardware configurations are developed for three possible combinations of functional and traffic handling capabilities. Hardware requirements are included for processors, buses, discs, tapes, graphics units, CRTs, printers, and keyboards.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract under the technical supervision of The Coast Guard R&D Center, Groton, Connecticut (R&DC 13/79).
• Corporate Authors:

  International Computing Company

  Bethesda, MD  United States 

  United States Coast Guard

  2100 Second Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20593
• Authors:
  • HENSON, C C
  • Mickey, F T
  • Graham, R S
  • McIntosh, B A
• Publication Date: 1979-1

Media Info

• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Control systems; Data logging; Data management; Highway traffic control; Information display systems; Information processing; Vessel traffic control
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00309421
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CG-D-54-79 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-81-78-1833
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1980 12:00AM