Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Pulse or data error handling – Digital data error correction
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-09-18
Moise, Emmanuel L. (Department: 2133)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Pulse or data error handling
Digital data error correction
C326S039000, C430S416000, C430S416000, C375S341000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292923
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FILED
The present invention relates to a configurable interface module particularly suited for acquisition and processing of weather information broadcast from weather satellites using field programmable gate arrays on a mezzanine board.
BACKGROUND ART
During the 1980's, the Versa Module European (VME) standard emerged to provide an open systems architecture in solving many of the problems with the form factor and interconnect method of earlier standards. VMEbus allows users to build a customized system in a standard chassis and backplane to suit their particular processing needs with off-the-shelf components with the assurance of interconnectivity and compatibility at the board level.
To further increase flexibility and provide additional processing functions while utilizing a single slot in the chassis, VMEbus carrier boards may include one or more connectors to accommodate electronic modules or mezzanine boards which may implement a wide variety of control, interface, input/output, analog, and digital functions. One example of such a mezzanine board is the INDUSTRYPACK (IP) manufactured by GreenSpring Computers, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif.
One application utilizing a VMEbus architecture to provide flexibility and configurability in acquisition and processing of weather data from various weather satellites is the PanThor system developed and manufactured by the assignee of the present invention. Similarly, a Satellite Processing Interface Unit (SPIU) produced by the assignee of the present invention is a dedicated unit which provides digital frame synchronization, FIFO data buffering, parallel digital input/output, and some computing capability for acquiring and processing weather information. Although the SPIU utilizes field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's), the SPIU does not provide functions such as bit synchronization and analog input which may be required to receive data from various environmental satellites.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a configurable interface module particularly suited for use in acquiring weather-related information from various environmental satellites.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a variety of interface functions for a commercially available mezzanine board having both digital and analog input capability.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide bit synchronization, Viterbi decoding, digital and analog frame synchronization, digitization, demodulation, parallel digital data input/output, and FIFO buffering on a commercially available mezzanine board.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a programmable configurable interface module on a commercially available mezzanine board which utilizes field programmable gate arrays to implement various analog and digital signal processing functions.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a programmable interface module which automatically changes implementation of signal processing functions according to a predetermined program so as to accommodate different data formats at different times.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects and features of the present invention a configurable interface module is provided which includes an analog to digital converter in communication with at least one field programmable gate array which implements bit synchronization or demodulation, frame synchronization and data buffering functions on a commercially available mezzanine board. The mezzanine board is operatively associated with a carrier board to allow programming of the at least one array and processing of incoming data.
The advantages accruing to the present invention are numerous. For example, the present invention combines the functions of 2-4 prior art processing units on a single printed circuit assembly measuring only 3.6″ by 3.9″ in size. This reduces recurring costs and the mean time between failures (MTBF) since fewer components and connections are required. An interface module according to the present invention can be automatically reconfigured via a user-defined program within a system to handle several digital or analog input formats resulting in a lower number of spare parts required and providing increased system availability than previous approaches.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Genrich Thad J.
Holsteen David W.
Martinez Bruno A.
Spellman Daniel L.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Moise Emmanuel L.
Raytheon Company
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