Distributive Processing Techniques For Interconnected Embedded Systems

"Evolving smart miniature munitions will be carried in large numbers on combat aircraft to enhance operational effectiveness and reduce required missions. Near term carriage and control of these munitions will be primarily via advanced carriage devices(captive dispensers) which adapt multiple munitions to a single MIL-STD-1760 aircraft electrical interface. Maintaining all operational flight program (OFP) functionality for initialization and employment of these stores within the aircraft processingsuite is expected to exceed the processing and data bus throughput capacity of some existing platforms, without costly upgrades. By moving some control functionality (within applicable safety and timing constraints) to the dispenser level via eitherpreprogrammed or dynamic distributive processing techniques, such upgrades can be delayed or avoided entirely. WINTEC has already developed a set of "store macro commands" under ongoing programs which execute in the dispenser to reduce aircraft processorand communication bus loading associated with store employment. The proposed effort would build on this previous work to provide a more comprehensive solution to the problem. Specifically, it would investigate store control requirements, develop a modelsystem architecture, define appropriate distributive processing functions, and develop a demonstration system concept and associated plan for a follow-on prototyping/ demonstration program. The