REAL/IX2: THE HEART OF A VERY FAST REALTIME TEST RANGE SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper describes the history, planning, analysis, design and performance specifications/results of a very fast, real time data acquisition and processing system. The heart of the system is MODCOMP’s fully pre-emptive, realtime UNIX operating system REAL/IX2. The entire system consists of 19 intelligent communication/interface processors on a VME bus all managed by the REAL/X2 master processor. The application for this system was developed by Arcata Assoc. of Las Vegas, NV. for use at Nellis Air Force Base. It resides in the Nellis Range Support network as the master switching node subsystem. The Nellis Network is a data communications system which supports interactive, fullduplex communication of digital data between terminal nodes on electronic combat ranges and range user nodes at Nellis AFB. Many obstacles to meeting the specified performance had to be overcome. When the system was delivered and installed by MODCOMP it met or exceeded the original data handling requirements and throughput. Other system features involve communication processor products from SIMPACT Inc. a San Diego company. The paper will present their involvement in delivering this solution system to ARCATA and ultimately Nellis AFB as well as all performance data achieved from this multi-company venture.