New standards-based software enhances real-time I/O performance

Today's data acquisition and control system designers are being challenged by ever-increasing channel counts, higher scan rates end the demand for faster real-time performance in the systems that they must configure. To meet these needs, KineticSystems Corporation has derived the Reality software package through technology transfer from the Department of Energy. This paper describes the open client/server architecture of the Reality software package. The host software runs on UNIX-based workstations end communicates with the I/O chassis using TCP/IP protocol. The key to the high I/O performance is the use of VxWorks/sup (TM/), a rest-time kernel, in the controller for each I/O chassis. Also described is how this software includes intelligent data acquisition as well as real-time display, analysis and control. In order to provide the high transfer rates needed for the acquired data from a number of VXI I/O chassis to a hard disk, this software can be combined with a high-speed fiber-optic interconnect. This paper also describes two large applications where this software is being employed. They include the monitoring of static end dynamic data from large wind tunnels and the testing of rocket motors. Additionally, this software fulfils the Department of Defense directive to use COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) products, based on recognized standards, whenever possible. Also discussed is the quite positive experience with technology transfer and the benefits derived by the US Government as well as by the commercial marketplace.