Instrumentation Support Systems Smart Transducer Plugins

While the IEEE standards identify the requirements of the Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP) and transducers, more software is necessary for system design, setup and maintenance. Williams-Pyro, Inc. proposes to model and develop the software to provide this interface. The proposed software, Smart Transducer Open System Integration Tool (STOSIT), will offer a complete sensor interface solution for the system designer. STOSIT will provide NCAP functionality specified within the IEEE 1451.1-1999 standard, and also design application software for use by the circuit designer and the maintenance technician. It will incorporate a user interface to allow designers the ability to identify and view parameters of the Smart Transducer Interface Modules (STIMs) and incorporate them within an application framework. Phase I efforts will include defining the changes in ISS operational scenarios to support IEEE 1451-based smart transducers. Hand-held devices will be programmed to interface with the sensor system. At Williams-Pyro, a modeling language will be used to provide insight into the object-oriented structure and the relationships between software components. The Unified Modeling Language, or UML, provides a standardized set of tools and techniques for mapping out these relationships. In this manner, programmers in any language can quickly grasp the structure and functionality of the STOSIT design, allowing for easy upgrading and porting to other computing platforms.