Abstract :
In distributed microprocessor-based instrumentation and control systems, the inter- and intra-subsystem communication requirements ultimately form the basis for the overall system architecture. The authors describe a software protocol which addresses the intra-subsystem communications problem. Specifically, the protocol allows for multiple processors to exchange information via a shared-memory interface. Their primary goal is to provide a reliable means for information to be exchanged between central application processor boards (masters) and dedicated function processor boards (slaves) in a single computer chassis. The resultant Multiprocessor Shared-Memory Information Exchange (MSMIE) protocol, a standard master-slave shared-memory interface suitable for use in nuclear safety systems, is designed to pass unidirectional buffers of information between the processors while providing a minimum, deterministic cycle time for this data exchange
Keywords :
computer communications software; computer interfaces; distributed processing; fission reactor safety; nuclear engineering computing; nuclear instrumentation; protocols; real-time systems; Multiprocessor Shared-Memory Information Exchange; central application processor boards; control systems; dedicated function processor boards; deterministic cycle time; distributed microprocessor-based instrumentation; intra-subsystem communication requirements; master-slave shared-memory interface; multiple processors; nuclear safety systems; shared-memory interface; software protocol; system architecture; Application software; Computer architecture; Instruments; Master-slave; Protocols; Real time systems; Safety; Software maintenance; Software standards; System software;
