A high level input/output system for microprocessor based instruments.
B. Muschlitz · 1982
Microprocessor-based instr oments are t radi t ional ly tore difficult to desian and operate than their analoa counterparts. This thesis details a sLxucLur£d approach to an operatlm system suitable for stand-alone use in an Instrument. The system is demonstrated in an automated Instrument used to determine the mechanical pronerties of steel. The proposed T/n system allocs a computer oroaram to converse *ith the operator usin-T a natural laniud'ie. The system functions as a hiqh level interface between the application proarammer nnd trie conputer user. This suo-system uses the structured design method to define a powerful virtual opTatim syste-n that can be placed In R3M. The aim of the operating system is to simnllfy the application proaram Interface with the hardware of the computer system. The svstem is lnterestim in that the virtual devices are defined in independent levels so that additional syste.n capabilities may h<? added at a later date. The system is desiqned to be Fall-Proof in that erroneous user entries cannot cause the system to halt or aoort. This aspect is very important in Instrumentation automation oecause the user is certain to enter wronq data on occasion. The structured approach to system design Is haspH upon the construction of new components out of previously defined ones. The distinction between software and hardware becomes immaterial because this approach is based uoon hlrjh level functions rather than Physical implementation. Groups of functions define pacKaaes *nlch characterize the set of operations which may be performed by the system.