Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
1996-09-10
2001-05-29
Wiley, David A. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral adapting
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240471
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to the interface connection of electronic sensors, such as radars, and to electronic detectors, such as high performance computers (HPCs). HPCs have a standard data transfer interface or “protocol”, such as the High Performance Parallel Interface (HiPPI), which specifies both the physical connectors and a signaling protocol, but sensors, e.g., radars, have unique outputs and can be physically separated from HPCs by tens to thousands of meters. Currently there are no devices or procedures that allow unique and varied input formats to interface to a HIPPI protocol.
There is a further complication that the radar sensor channels may output 40-80 Million bytes of information per second. As a result, a high level of performance is needed over relatively long distance communication channels.
“Modem” or modulator/demodulator-like interfaces can be used to interconnect HIPPI serially across fiber optic lines. The current procedure is to use a modem that adapts HIPPI for transmission over a serial fiber optic line. Although HIPPI is a “parallel” connection, this kind of interface is known as “serial” HIPPI. However, there has been no reconfigurable implementation for adapting a design for non-HIPPI protocols.
The interfacing of different data protocols necessitated by different electronic sensors is typically done by providing a unique solution for each different data transfer procedure. The standard procedure is to have one printed circuit board (PCB) which implements the interface for each different protocol. Consequently there is a need to change the PCB each time a different protocol is desired. This greatly increases the logistical complexity and cost by requiring the availability of multiple PCB interface designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides an interconnect, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), for a multiplicity, e.g., 32, heterogeneous sensor channels with a variety of interface specifications. The interconnect is between a detector, such as a high performance computer, and a sensor, such as a radar, across a medium such as fiber optic lines using a serial protocol such as Fibre Channel.
Each channel requires a plurality of lines, for example fiber optic cable, to support bi-directional communications and feedback. For each channel, one implementation of the PCB is used at the sensor (for sending information) and one implementation is used at the computer (for receiving information). However, bi-directional communications between receivers, e.g. computers, are also supported.
Accordingly it is an object of the invention to facilitate the connection of electronic sensors, such as radars, to electronic detectors, such as high performance computers (HPCs). A related object is and to facilitate the connection of HPCs which have a standard data transfer protocol, known as the High Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI). Another related object is to facilitate the connection of sensors, e.g., radars, which have unique outputs and can be physically separated from destination computers, such as HPCs, by tens to thousands of meters.
A further object of the invention is to allow unique and varied input formats to interface to the HiPPI protocol. A related object is to accommodate sensor channels that may output 40-80 Million bytes of information per second. Another related object is to achieve high performance data transfer rates for relatively long distance communications.
Another object of the invention is to implement printed circuit board (PCB) designs for non-HiPPI data transfer protocols to HiPPI protocols. A related object is to design a PCB with a flexible interface that can operate with each new kind of sensor or protocol. Another related object is to use the same PCB design at both ends of an interface to afford a simple solution for high performance data transfers.
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Linderman Mark H.
Linderman Richard W.
Schlueter Erick A.
Auton William G.
Burstyn Harold L.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Wiley David A.
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