Device Independent Software and Hardware

Abstract

The INTELSAT V Communications System Monitoring (CSM) network consists of 11 worldwide installations and a centralized data processing/display facility. Each installation is slightly different from the others due to the local station equipment. The CSM installation consists of a number of control and monitoring equipment interfaced to a HP-1000 minicomputer via the IEEE-488 Bus. This paper describes the modular approach taken in the design of nine pieces of control and monitoring equipment that allowed 27 different units, including differences due to sites and antennas, to be designed within a period of three months. The paper discusses the communications protocols and the device independent software used, to speed the development and debug time.