Analogue I/O strategies for transputers

Abstract With the advent of increasingly sophisticated multivariable systems for the control of advanced aircraft designs1,2 has come the demand for further improvements in processing capacity and speed. These are becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy using conventional, sequential microprocessor-based systems, but the use of parallel processing concepts exemplified by the Inmos transputer will realize the required performance. To achieve this the transputer must be provided with a large bandwidth, high-performance data acquisition system. The paper surveys several practical strategies which provide the Inmos transputer development system (TDS) with a flexible analogue data acquisition capability. Three techniques have been implemented in Salford University's Department of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, two of which are examined in detail. The interfacing methods identified may be categorized as: Host-based systems — (a) software interface and (b) combined software and hardware interface; External bus-based systems — (a) transputer(s) on the bus and (b) bus emulation; and Wholely transputer-based systems — (a) link-compatible autonomous devices and (b) memory mapped devices. Each type is discussed briefly and examples of combined software and hardware interface systems, and memory mapped devices are presented as case studies.