Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Having preparation of program
Reexamination Certificate
2006-02-07
2006-02-07
Starks, Wilbert (Department: 2129)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Having preparation of program
C712S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06996443
ABSTRACT:
A reconfigurable digital processing system for space includes the utilization of field programmable gate arrays utilizing a hardware centric approach to reconfigure software processors in a space vehicle through the reprogramming of multiple FPGAs such that one obtains a power/performance characteristic for signal processing tasks that cannot be achieved simply through the use of off-the-shelf processors. In one embodiment, for damaged or otherwise inoperable signal processors located on a spacecraft, the remaining processors which are undamaged can be reconfigured through changing the machine language and binary to the field programmable gate arrays to change the core processor while at the same time maintaining undamaged components so that the signal processing functions can be restored utilizing a RAM-based FPGA as a signal processor. In one embodiment, multiple FPGAs are connected together by a data bus and are also provided with data pipes which interconnect selected FPGAs together to provide the necessary processing function. Flexibility in reconfiguration includes the utilizing of a timing and synchronization block as well as a common configuration block which when coupled to an interconnect block permits reconfiguration of a customizable application core, depending on the particular signal processing function desired. The result is that damaged or inoperable signal processing components can be repaired in space without having to physically attend to the hardware by transmitting to the spacecraft commands which reconfigure the particular FPGAs thus to alter their signal processing function. Also mission changes can be accomplished by reprogramming the FPGAs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5960191 (1999-09-01), Sample et al.
patent: 6175940 (2001-01-01), Saunders
patent: 6462684 (2002-10-01), Medelius et al.
patent: 6811320 (2004-11-01), Abbott
Bergmann et al., Adaptive Interfacing With Reconfigurable Computers, Australian Computer Science Communications, Proceedings of the 6th Australasian conference on Computer systems architecture ACSAC '01, Jan. 2001, vol. 23 Issue 4, pp. 11-18.
PCT International Search Report dated Sep. 23, 2003 International Application No. PCT/US03/00568 filed Jan. 9, 2003.
Dennis Alan F.
Dennis Charles A.
Marshall Joseph R.
Santee Steven G.
Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
Long Daniel J.
Starks Wilbert
Tendler Robert K.
LandOfFree
Reconfigurable digital processing system for space does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reconfigurable digital processing system for space, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reconfigurable digital processing system for space will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3658526