Software & Systems

Articles of journal № 4 at 2015 year.

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1. Active information support of crew actions [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Kravchenko S.I., Dushenko A.G., Andreev D.A., Kotov A.G.
Visitors: 8624
The article notes that the tasks of space ships and stations crews information support are continuously expanding due to onboard plans complexity, increasing scientific activities in an onboard schedule; increasing requirements to dispatch and clarity of the onboard documentation, importance of multimedia, additional background information and sound. The paper shows the results of experimental operation of a multifunctional information system prototype in the ISS. The experimental operation identified high-priority interactive objects and functions, which are necessary to ensure the effective work of the crew. They are: the possibility of sensor affection on the environmental model; changing the type, positions and internal parameters of the virtual objects; data input into interactive parts of the documents; marking the prescribed actions implementation; the prescribed time intervals execution; work with authorized bookmarks; questionnaire for an operator based on completed work session results; logging astronaut’s behavior in the information environment and transferring protocols to the Earth. The authors formulate the problems of onboard information systems and their ground facilities. They also pay attention to increasing the capabilities of the interaction between an operator and information environment. The paper offers key solutions, explains new means of documents preparation. There are some examples of implementing active elements into environment. The paper considers the operator’s situational behavior, work with virtual controls, logging the results and crew evaluation. It also describes the special editor of an e-document control layer. The authors offer solutions to overcome the uncertainty of choice of an operation system and personal tablets hardware platform.

2. Algorithms and models for maintenance process automated control systems [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Burdo G.B., Fedotova А.V.
Visitors: 10264
Production systems of enterprises, which produce high technology products, often relate to multiproduct production. When using the technological processes automated control systems (TPACS) in multiproduct production, the main problems are caused by the high situation dynamism in the companies. This is due to the regular emergence of new contracts during a calendar year, resulting in production plans adjustment; the technical regulation approximation because of lack of time for technological preparation leading to operational planning inaccuracy. According to the authors, the proposed process automated control system (for example, aircraft technical maintenance) is devoid of these shortcomings. This is due to the following factors. The hierarchical structure of TPACS reflects the hierarchy of the enterprise production plans and is presented by subsystems of volume, calendar, operational planning and scheduling. TPACS as a system in whole is connected to an organization management system through information and is its subsystem. To ensure scheduling, there is information interaction with production departments. All the subsystems of TPACS are connected, so it is possible to correct all types of plans quickly. Planning is accomplished by using iterative procedures, which provide “thin” fulfillment of production plans. Therefore, higher level production plans adjusting is possible due to feedbacks, and this ensures their feasibility. When production planning, local capacity reserves and operating time funds are planned, the ways of using their reserves are suggested. The operational planning subsystem results in scheduling of production units. It is based on the relative priority method. The paper shows the refined statement of the production unit schedule problem. The particular features are associated with the performance of work by work groups and with the use of priority service schemes. The paper identifies the methods of forming the priority object service schemes that provide a variety of calculations and a choice of optimum in accordance with the established criterion. When refining, TPACS can be implemented as a decision support system in various diversified engineering enterprises, which provide service, repair and high technology products assembly.

3. The onboard multifunctional information complex of the International space station (Russian section) [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Kravchenko S.I., Andreev D.A., Brunko D.V., Gorbachev E.B.
Visitors: 9238
The paper describes the new onboard set to provide the Russian ISS Segment crew with electronic documentation. It is noted that to support manned space ships and stations information systems with onboard electronic documentation, the documents should be carried out in the formats compatible with onboard interface. The paper highlights the most important stage of the process of preparation. It is the onboard data conversion. The main tasks of onboard complex are reception and unpacking service packs, server conversion of documents in compatible format, compositions assembly by land marking files, mailing authorized updates to the crew’s Tablet PCs, information reproduction on the plates and providing individual support of an astronaut according to his role, staff logging. The paper gives the scheme and the composition of the board complex special software utilities. It also describes in detail the algorithm of the circuit elements and the methodology of resources update, which mean converting received page description in a graphic form, files positioning in the onboard file server, documents updating when there are appropriate markup files, documents collection in the form in they were formed on the Earth. Particular attention is paid to the process of updating the personal documents database on the user’s tablet that can be run automatically or by agreement with the operator, who initiates the update after receiving the notice and clicks the refresh button on personal interface panel. It is emphasized that all other service operations with delivered updates are performed automatically without crew.

4. High performance RapidIO block to create multi-core microprocessors with RapidIO virtual links [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Kozlov N.A., Bobkov S.G.
Visitors: 7907
One of the main methods of improving computing systems performance is the development of multi-core and multiprocessor systems. Modern multiprocessor systems are usually based on the communication environment. The most popular high-performance network environments are: HyperTransport, PCI Express, ASI, RapidIO, VXS, StarFabric, 10GB Ethernet, InfiniBand, Myrinet. A communication environment is created on chip level, module level, inter-module level and inter-machine level. The RapidIO standard is focused on creating the last three environments and thus we can unify a multiprocessor system. For further unification we need to develop the module of the exchange between the microprocessor’s core and the external environment in order to improve the reliability and reduce labor effort. The article discusses a unified adapter block (RIO-AXI) for a transition from on-chip AXI bus to the external RapidIO bus to create as multicore processors as well as switches with RapidIO environment. Chip production technology improvement and increase in the number of transistors in the chips until 2003 has led to permanent growth of microprocessor frequency up to 3–4 GHz. However, further increase in frequency has caused a substantial increase of power consumption and heat dissipation, which is impossible to withdraw from crystals using standard means. Increased productivity has been achieved by expenses on complicated architecture of microprocessor cores, additional functions, coprocessors and, most importantly, by creating multi-core microprocessors and multiprocessor systems. Therefore, a high-performance communication environment is emphasized. RapidIO communication environment is one of the most promising. The RapidIO standard is designed specifically to meet critical requirements of real-time applications, which are: low latency, determinism, reliability and scalability, reduction of power consumption, size and weight.

5. The problems of ensuring distributed information systems sustainability [№4 за 2015 год]
Author: Yesikov D.O.
Visitors: 8653
The paper considers the ways to ensure distributed information systems sustainability. It formalizes the problems of ensuring sustainability of distributed information systems, which consist of: a mathematical optimization model for functional tasks software elements distribution according to network nodes; a mathematical optimization model for information resources distribution according to data storage and processing centers; a mathematical model for determination of a reasonable expenditure level to form data storage facilities; a mathematical optimization model of technical means for data storage and processing; a mathematical optimization model for information resources reserve distribution on data storage and processing centers. The article shows that they belong to discrete optimization problems and gives their characteristics. It also proposes a procedure for applying a complex of mathematical models to ensure distributed information systems sustainability with indication of input and output data for each model. To solve the abovementioned problems the authors suggest using a software package, which implements the branch and bound method to solve discrete optimization problems with Boolean variables using the algorithm of branching variables predetermined order based on the duality theory. The duality theory in the branch and bound method significantly enhances the screening of unpromising options and reduces the time for solving problems compared with the traditional method on average in 8 times. The paper gives the special aspects of practical use of the developed mathematical model complex during design, maintenance and update of distributed information systems life cycle.

6. Intelligent information system for rolling stock carriage equipment faillures forecasting on railways [№4 за 2015 год]
Author: Ivanova E.I.
Visitors: 11271
The “Strategy of railway engineering development until 2030” presents rail transport increased safety as one of the most important problems for research. One of the main goals of JSC “Russian Railways” in this strategy is creation of complex systems for diagnostics and forecasting of rolling stock infrastructure technical condition. Analysis of publications on the subject shows that there is no information on using such systems on rolling stock on the Russian market. The article describes one approach to solve the abovementioned problem, which is using an intelligent information system focused on solving problems of equipment fault forecasting in rail transport. The article describes the main scientific results of such system development, the system architecture and its features, algorithms and implementation means, results and analysis of using this system on real data of rolling stock cars of JSC “FIC”. The described system is an adaptable and versatile in many ways. It is applied as a forecasting system to passenger cars, but in the future it can be adjusted and applied to other rail transport elements (freight cars, locomotives, electric, etc.). Its subsystems are independent and it is possible to try different algorithms within its subsystems without affecting the system as a whole. This system is realized with support from Russian Foundation for Basic Research within the competition of oriented basic research on important cross-disciplinary subjects on behalf of JSC “Russian Railways”. The developed system is tested on the car resources of JSC “TCW” equipped with the latest SKDU system of JSC “FIC” rolling stocks.

7. Intelligent information system for retail demand forecasting and inventory optimization [№4 за 2015 год]
Author: Gritsay A.A.
Visitors: 8677
The paper presents inventory management and stock optimization system for retail trade. The system is focused on small and medium retailers and wholesale trade customers. The estimated savings make a total of 20–30 % of the stock. System can increase satisfied demand by 5–7 %. The article describes the main features of the system: data preprocessing, demand forecasting, calculation of the optimal service level, calculation of optimal inventory, order calculation for a supplier. Data preprocessing cleans data from sharp emissions, marketing campaigns impact, holiday impact and the lack of goods in the warehouse. Demand forecasting is based on the preprocessed time series of the sales. The characteristics of sales history time series are calculated for each product. The prediction algorithm is selected according to the characteristics. Given service level defines the reserve stock. The optimal service level is calculated according to the strategy of trading company investment return maximization. Optimal inventory is calculated based on the calculated service level and the chosen forecasting algorithm. Available goods in stock, goods in transit, as well as provisions for individual customers determine the optimal order size of the item. After that row order restrictions are applied (e.g. packaging multiplicity), and then order restrictions to a supplier as a whole (e.g. weight and dimensional). The paper provides an example of applying the system and the conclusion about economic effect from its implementation in a real trading enterprise.

8. The information support for space experiments [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Stepanov V.V., Andreev D.A., Obydenov S.S.
Visitors: 9192
The article presents the results of testing the virtual manuals for space experiments on board the Russian section of the ISS. Based on this experience the authors set a problem of transferring scientific documentation to crew tablets. The paper presents a description of the new onboard interface module with advanced features such as versioning script with multiple levels of difficulty and switching versions during operation; advanced configuration device of initial conditions for more intuitive and accurate reproduction of planned work; affordable choice of sequence and real-time input of the initial conditions on board. Therefore, there is a variation of operating scenarios and chains of the prescribed actions, the composition of illustrative material and the used equipment, environment virtual models and readings, date and time. There is a specific feature of space experiments information support consisting in the need of crew actions parallel support by two subplots, which are: prearranged scenario sequence simulating a virtual environment for an experiment, and random access to a classic array of board documentation. In this case key points of the virtual process should be clearly linked to the document items. The paper also describes system solutions and a methodology of information space interactive management. The attention is paid to operator’s situational behavior, virtual controls work, results logging and crew evaluation. It is emphasized that the astronaut’s work is fully authorized on the level of personal scenarios that are transferred in accordance with his individual role in the collective experiments. The authors predict further extension of functionality of hardware and software package of space experiments information support, as well as a significant increase in convenience, visibility, operators’ efficiency, obtaining high speed of access to onboard documentation.

9. A fault injector to test the SoC-processor to single event upsets [№4 за 2015 год]
Author: Chekmarev S.A.
Visitors: 7908
Error injection to the microprocessor memory is used to test fault detection and correction tools. Injection simulates the result of space heavy charged particles influence. This paper describes the developed failure injector IP-core. IP-core makes single event upsets to the memory of the system-on-a-chip (SoC) microprocessor. The paper describes a failure injector scheme, modules structure, a state machine, the work in all injection modes. The injector allows us to add failures to a register file, cache and external memory in different modes. Available modes are: with or without a microprocessor stop the processor with a random failure or predetermined by covering. Failure injector IP-core was applied to the SoC processor LEON3. The article describes the failure injection procedures in LEON3 memory. DSU interface helps to access the on-chip memory. DSU is a slave interface to the AMBA AHB bus. Using its registers the failure injector can stop the processor, modify its internal memory contents, and resume running software. A memory controller is used to access LEON3 external memory. During the experiment the injector collects statistical data on injected and found faults. The analysis of the results leads to a conclusion about the microprocessor sensitivity to single event upsets in the memory. After testing a failure injector can be excluded from the SoC microprocessor without any traces left.

10. Conceptual framework for development of the next-generation educational training and simulation complex (etsc) [№4 за 2015 год]
Authors: Shukshunov V.E., Yanyushkin V.V.
Visitors: 8900
The article considers various approaches to the development of a new-generation educational training and simulation complex (ETSC) at Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center using the latest technical and software tools. The article offers the approaches to decomposition of the ETSC development tasks by several interrelated stages solving certain problems. The article provides a short analysis of historical facts covering several generations of astronaut training complexes including integrating principles implementation. The paper describes the algorithm based on two major approaches to integrating existing tech astronaut training devices into one simulator complex. The authors consider a concept of gateway and modern computing technologies along with virtualization technologies and a set of hardware & software means. The article provides the description of the promising ETSC complex structure; each complex is a separate part that solves a certain number of problems. Special attention is given to the integration of educational and training processes while preparing specialists. Finally, the paper provides the composition of the experimental stand for testing all offered solutions connected to the ETSC development. There are the descriptions of obtained results that reflect absolutely new solutions including the use of hostcentric computations of a unified computing system and the use of thin clients at the workplaces. The authors analyze the level of resources loading, data transfer network channels and other critical parameters. It is noted that many IT experts highly evaluated the results of the work for development of experimental stand.

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