Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!news.miami.edu!umiami!jdeitch From: jdeitch@umiami.ir.miami.edu (Jonathan Deitch) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: New Shuttle Computers Message-ID: <1991Mar5.013344.7971@umiami.ir.miami.edu> Date: 5 Mar 91 06:33:44 GMT References: <2352@ksr.com> <1991Mar4.202334.22118@casbah.acns.nwu.edu> Organization: Univ of Miami IR Lines: 31 phil@eecs.nwu.edu (William LeFebvre) writes: > In article <2352@ksr.com>, jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) writes: > |> The Electronic Engineering Times for 25 February 1991 has an article about > |> the new shuttle computers which are scheduled to fly on Discovery "next week." > |> The new AP101S computers use static-RAM memory and Schottky logic, replacing > |> the old core-memory AP101B computers. > > Does the article say if the RAM is battery-backed or otherwise anything > in place to make the memory non-volatile? One standard procedure is > "freeze-drying" a GPC (general purpose computer), which relies on the > memory being non-volatile. I'm curious if they are going to scrap that > procedure or not. Freeze-drying consists of loading the re-entry software > into a GPC and turning the GPC off. That way if the tape drives that > contain the software both break, at least they have one computer to > get them home again. > > Thanks for the summary! My wife will be most interested in it. > > William LeFebvre > Computing Facilities Manager and Analyst > Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science > Northwestern University > Static RAM memory, I believe, is non volatile memory. - Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------- Internet : jdeitch@umiami.miami.edu "Good musicians execute their music but bad ones Voice : (305) - 284 - 6482 murder it !!! "