Showing papers on "Modular design published in 1978"

The architecture and system method of DDM1: A recursively structured Data Driven Machine

Abstract: An architecture for a highly modular, recursively structured class of machines is presented. DDM1 is an instance of such a machine structure, and is capable of executing machine language programs which are data driven nets. These nets may represent arbitrary amounts of concurrency as well as arbitrary amounts of pipelining. DDM1 is a fully distributed multiprocessing system composed of completely asynchronous modules. The architecture allows for limitless physical extensibility without necessitating special programming or special hardware to support individual machines of widely varying sizes. DDM1 is capable of automatically and dynamically allocating concurrent tasks to the available physical resources. The essential characteristics of the highly parallel, pipelined machine language are also described along with its method for execution on DDM1.

Methodology for design of digital systems: supported by SARA at the age of one

Abstract: Efforts toward computer-aided design of computers are described. A design methodology is discussed first. It can be characterized as requirement-driven and supportive of self-documenting design of modular, concurrent, hardware, and software systems. A flow chart indicates the processes of initialization, partition (or composition) and its evaluation, and implementation. Then the SARA (System ARchitect's Apprentice) system, a system implemented to support a designer attempting to use the methodology mentioned above, is described. Topics discussed include the user interface, structural and behavioral modeling tools, the design library, behavioral-structural mapping, and multilevel modeling. 7 figures, 2 tables. (RWR)

Accessing arrangement for interleaved modular memories

Abstract: An address translator, which is designated to operate in a fraction of the memory cycle time, and associated modular organized memory accepts logical addresses and converts each to a corresponding physical address. Each physical address uniquely identifies a particular module and a particular storage location therein for data transfer. The overall structure is adaptable for full utilization of a variable number of modules occasioned by failure thereby providing a soft fail feature. The access time provided by the address translator and associated modules remains constant independent of the storage location being used. Adaption for accommodating changes in the number of modules is provided by altering the parameters of the address translation and changing the identification constants associated with each module.

Sift-Out Modular Redundancy

Abstract: A fault-tolerance technique for digital systems, Sift-Out Modular Redundancy, is proposed and designed. An appropriate number of identical channels are provided for each module. The number of channels depend upon the particular application, and all channels are active as long as they are fault-free. Upon the failure of a channel, its contribution to the module output ceases. The configuration tolerates up to L − 2 channel failures, if L is the initial number of channels. Sift-out redundancy is easy to implement, and shows several advantages when compared to existing redundancy techniques.

Modular housing assembly for vehicle warning light system

Abstract: A modular housing assembly for housing a vehicle warning light system and intended for mounting across the roof of a police car or other vehicle on which warning lights are required. The housing comprises a plurality of transparent plastic panels of modular construction, there being provided a plurality of front modular panel sections interconnected in side-by-side relation and a plurality of rear modular panel sections interconnected in side-by-side relation, the front and rear panel sections being connected to one another and to a common base member.

Modular orthodontic appliances

Abstract: A modular orthodontics appliance in the form of either an arch wire or a sectional is provided which makes it possible to provide the whole spectrum of three dimensional appliance functions which are geometrically predictable, have positive directional or vector control, and are specifically designed to control the counter-movements in treatment. These modules are designed to be used as coordinates with light wire, edge wire, straight wire and twin wire appliances. Also, they may be used singly or in combination.

Offshore multiple well drilling and production apparatus

Abstract: A modular multiple well drilling and production template structure is combined with a production riser base module to provide an underwater apparatus which allows a plurality of wells to be drilled, completed and produced by operations carried out from a single vessel or platform without remote installation of flowlines.

Modular bottle support rack

Abstract: A modular bottle support rack fabricated of identical modular members using any number of such members in pairs. Each member has a bottle craddling surface and a projecting member which mates with a modular member to provide a pair of spaced bottle craddling surfaces. There is no limit on the number of modular members that can be connected together to form a bottle support rack.

Modular shelf system with assembly-disassembly feature

Abstract: A modular shelf system formed of injection molded structural elements including shelf modules and column modules. The shelf modules have through openings and the column modules have interlocking ends which are received in said openings so that the column modules extend from both sides of a shelf module when assembled.

Modular mounting apparatus for substrate means bearing planar circuit means

Abstract: A modular mounting apparatus for substrate means bearing planar circuit means is provided and includes a design of components that assemble into a housing package for microcircuit modules with means for locating, supporting, interconnecting and housing them; in an interference free environment, i.e., provisions for moisture, radio frequency interference and electromagnetic interference sealing are provided. The apparatus provides a modular systematic and economical means of packaging for low frequency printed circuit boards to microwave frequency microcircuits.

Method of and apparatus for enabling soft-failure of modular power converter systems, including RF generator systems, embodying switching components in the power conversion

Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with enabling modular power converter systems, including RF generators or transmitters involving such conversion, employing switching components such as SCRs in the power conversion, to fail in a soft manner as a result of transient electrical or other disturbances so as to permit continued system operation, through the use of individual module d.c. power supplies and circuit design that insures inverter module high output impedance even under SCR failure conditions and that mitigates against SCR failures caused by changes in load phase angle.

Cost reduction in product design

Abstract: COST REDUCTION IN PRODUCT DESIGN by William Wai-Chung Chow Now, for the first time, you can have fingertip access to the most up-to-date engineering concepts and methods used in product design cost control. No matter what your area of special interest, from mechanical engineering and industrial design to civil engineering and architecture, this book can help you perfect your designs in terms of economy, efficiency and engineering integrity. At the same time, you get a thorough comparison of differing engineering techniques, manufacturing methods and materials. The author fully explains the use of the newest resource conserving technologies, such as rigid foams, powder metallurgy, sandwich structures, composite materials, and multifunctional plastics. You learn how to put such labor-saving and time-saving techniques as sonic welding and snap fittings to work in reducing the cost of your finished product. In addition, you will see how to eliminate entire assembly steps using the latest modular and integral design concepts. Throughout the book the author stresses a practical, common sense approach to design optimization and design feasibility in such product lines as appliances, instruments, machines, vehicles, and furniture. His discussions of manufacturing and assembly show you how to implement the most cost efficient castings, moldings, forms, solders, braces, welds and cements. (Continued on back flap) (Continued from front flap) Fully illustrated with over 325 diagra and photographs and packed full useful tables and equations, C Reduction in Product Design will se as your reference tool to every prod design and cost reduction discipli from linear programming to va engineering and engineering e

Reconfigurable Modular Computer Networks for Spacecraft On-Board Processing

Abstract: Standardized fault-tolerant microcomputers in a reconfigurable distributed network promise to meet spacecraft reliability requirements at low cost.

The application of dynamic relaxation to the design of modular space structures

Abstract: This thesis is concerned with the development and assessment of computer techniques for the formfinding and sizing of large modular building space structures suitable for urban development. The contents of the Chapters are summarised as follows: 1: An introduction to conceptual and computer aided design of large building space structures. 2: A review of topological computer design methods. 3: A comparison of a dynamic relaxation method, for the formfinding of modularly constrained structures subject to a dominant design loading case, with linear programming and fully stressed design methods. This comparison shows that the dynamic relaxation method is efficient and particularly suitable for interactive use. 4: A parametric study of the effects of the iteration parameters on the stability and rate of convergence is presented. No general rules appear to be possible regarding the effects of these parameters on stability. It is noted, however, that the number of structure modifications before the solution becomes apparent is independent of the parameters. The dynamic relaxation formfinding procedure is generalised to cater for different stress constraints in tension and compression members and, for the problem considered, derives a lighter form than the fully stressed design technique. The optimum form of the D.R. solution is verified by the linear programming technique. 5: An intuitive dynamic relaxation method for the sizing of structures of fixed topology subject to multiple loading cases ,and stress constraints is presented. The method also caters for maximum member area sizes and deflection constraints by the use of parallel elastic and elasto-plastic analyses. Solutions derived using this method are compared with solutions derived using the non-linear program algorithm. They are shown to be of similar weight and to require similar solution times. 6: Two dynamic relaxation methods are presented for the formfinding and sizing of multiply loaded space structures. The first or parallel method is suitable for deriving and sizing forms of optimum or near optimum weight by deleting members which are small in area size and reducing in size. The second or series method is particularly suitable for interactive use and consists of testing the efficiency of each member with respect to each loading case. The final topology is then sized considering all loading cases simultaneously. These methods are both applied to a bridging ground structure subject to multiple loads and compared with solutions derived using linear, nonlinear programming and topological design methods. The parallel dynamic relaxation method is then extended to cater for cable members allowing for on-off non-linearities and prestress effects. The bridging structure is subsequently redesigned using internal cable members and adjusting the prestress level to ensure that the bridge deck does not deflect vertically under the action of the primary loading case. 7: A summary of conclusions.

Modular dynamoelectric machine

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine comprising a plurality of single functional modular units mounted end to end on a common output shaft. Each individual unit comprises a rotor consisting of a single cylindrical coil or winding having its axis at a right angle to the shaft longitudinal axis, a pair of outer stators preferably in the form of permanent magnets and two pairs of end stators, each pair of end stators on one side of the coil. Each modular unit, when operating as a DC unit, is provided with its own commutator consisting of a split ring and, when functioning in a motor mode, all the commutator brushes of an assembly of modular units are connected in parallel across a common DC power supply. When operating in a generator mode, all the modular units are connected to a common lead. Output power can be tailored by mounting an appropriate number of modular units end to end in a housing.

Modular furniture structure

Abstract: Modular furniture structure in which one or more modular pillar blocks have supportive engagement with modular articles of furniture wherein at least one of the top and bottom load bearing surfaces of each pillar block has a recessed seat for receiving the complementary surface of the modular article of furniture.

LSI Modular Computers, Systems, and Networks

Abstract: Modular LSI-based design makes possible new patterns of computer and network organization, providing greater computational power and flexibility.

A facility for verification, testing and documentation of concurrent process software

Abstract: This paper describes the overall design of some modular capabilities for error detection testing, verification, and documentation of concurrent process HAL/S programs. The work described draws upon many ideas first advanced in building tools for single process software. In this paper, these ideas are significantly extended and adapted to realize the power of these tools for concurrent software. Particular attention is paid to the design of static data flow analysis capabilities for concurrent software.

Specification and Verification of a Network Nail System

Abstract: Techniques for describing and verifying modular systems are illustrated using a simple network mail problem. The design is presented in a top-down style. At each level of refinement, the specifications of the higher level are verified from the specifications of lower level components.

An LSI Modular Direct-Execution Computer Organization

Abstract: A potentially low-cost architecture offers both device and linguistic modularity and executes high-level code without compilation.

Signal Processing with Bit-Serial Word-Parallel Architectures

Abstract: The incremental cost per unit of performance of a variety of flexible system functions has been sharply reduced through the application of a high degree of functional parallelism with serialized arithmetic. (Functional parallelism as used here is the parallel use of an array of high density, low cost, lower performance devices to obtain a high performance function.) System functions, such as fast Fourier transformers, digital filters, graphics function generators, and matrix computational arrays have all been reduced to a form which is highly channelized in this manner. Such computationally intensive digital signal processors employing novel computational means are shown to promise a reduction in size, weight, and power by an order of magnitude over conventional techniques. Several examples of modular functional processors are presented for which the algorithmic formulation, architectural configuration, and prototype implementation are described.