Universal memory loader verifier

• US 5,218,547 A
• Filed: 05/20/1991
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Tebbs, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KEMENY, EMANUEL
• Application Number:
  US07/702,561
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708, 364/424.01-424.06
• US Class Current: 701/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

A Universal Memory Loader Verifier (UMLV) is disclosed. The loader comprises a system used to load and verify Operational Flight Programs (OFP) into an unlimited number of different types of avionics computers without the need for adding additional hardware (with the exception of an additional cable that may be unique to each particular computer being loaded and verified). The disclosed Universal Memory Loader Verifier (UMLV) consists of a portable, off the shelf, militarized, arm held, battery backed Personal Computer. The PC contains a custom interface card for different types of applications. The PC output is connected to a buffer box having a custom card therein by means of a cable. The buffer box is connected to a single ended driver/receiver type avionics computer through a unique cable. This connection requires an additional cable for each computer type. For all other applications, the PC is connected directly to the avionics computer by means of a unique cable. The Operational Flight Programs for every computer are loaded into the PC RAM memory from a detachable floppy drive, and is maintained in memory by means of a battery.

Claims

1. A universal memory loader verifier for loading and verifying operation flight programs into a number of different types of avionics computers, the combination comprising:

a personal computer having a random access memory;

a programmable card in said personal computer, said card being programmable for each of said number of different avionics computers;

a firmware file for each of said different types of avionics computers, said firmware file programming said programmable card for a particular avionics computer;

an operational flight program for each of said different avionics computers;

a detachable floppy disk drive for loading one of said firmware files onto said programmable card for programming said card to enable communications between said personal computer and one of said avionics computers; and

means for loading said operational flight programs into said personal computer memory, said operational flight program being loaded onto said programmable card for transmission to said avionics computer.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, and a buffer box having a custom card residing therein, said buffer box and said card being programmed for certain types of avionic computers;

and a custom cable for connecting the output of said buffer box to said certain types of avionic computers, the output from said personal computer being coupled, selectively, either directly to a selected avionics computer, or to another selected avionics computer through said buffer box.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1, and a battery maintaining said memory.