B. D. Carroll

The Evolution of Electronic Distribution: Effects on Hotels and Intermediaries

Abstract The rise of internet-based room reservation presents hoteliers with a strategic challenge of controlling their distribution, while also working with intermediaries that can hlp sell rooms.

Reliability Modeling and Analysis of Fault-Tolerant Memories

A memory array reliability model is developed that can be applied to a wide range of memory organizations including random-access memories (RAM) and read-only memories (ROM). The model is particularly useful for computing the reliability of fault-tolerant memories that employ techniques such as hardware redundancy, error-correcting codes, and software error-correcting algorithms. The model accommodates the effect of faults masked by data. Reliability models that incorporate the array model are given for a simplex RAM, an N-modular-redundant RAM, a spared RAM, a single-error-correcting RAM, a multiple-error-correcting RAM, and a ROM. Reliability characteristics of these memories are compared. The results suggest that memories with error-correcting capability and spare bit-planes provide the best reliability. Memories with sparing at the array level are next best followed by NMR and simplex organizations. ROM reliability is shown to be more optimistic when masked faults are considered.

The Standard Transistor Array (STAR) Part II Automatic Cell Placement Techniques

Layout of a STAR device consists of the placement of standard cells (circuit elements) on the array and the routing of conductors between cells. Cell placement must be such that routing is not hindered. Also, placement procedures must be cost effective and easy to implement on a digital computer. A placement procedure for STARs is described in this paper that satisfies these characteristics. The procedure attempts to optimize the placement with respect to several criteria including expected routing channel usage and routing VIA requirements. Computer implementations of the procedure are discussed. Experimental results are presented which indicate that the procedure yields near-optimum results in computationally convenient amounts of time.

Object-oriented real time systems modeling and verification

An object-oriented real-time systems conceptual modeling approach is described. In this approach, each object is specified by an object type, consisting of supertypes (inheritance), component types (aggregation), attributes, operations, static constraints and timed temporal constraints. An object type specification defines a theory of a type of objects. In particular, the static constraints define the valid states of the objects, the operations define the valid state transitions, each consisting of a set of execution rules. Each execution rule consists of a precondition and a postcondition. The timed temporal constraints define the permissible sequences of state transitions. Atomic and composite object state diagrams (AOSDs and COSDs) are then constructed from a formal specification for verification of the satisfiability of the timed temporal constraints.

A Computer Engineering Nucleus for Electrical Engineering Curricula

An approach is proposed for including a sequence of four computer engineering courses in required undergraduate electrical engineering curricula. Justification of the need is presented in terms of the modern electrical engineers involvement with the digital computer. Each course is described in terms of objectives, content, prerequisites, laboratory, credit, scheduling, and possible texts. Implementation of the sequence is also considered in relation to laboratory facility needs, availability of qualified instructors, and accommodation in existing curricula. Experience with a similar arrangement at Auburn University is related.

A graduate/undergraduate computer graphics course and laboratory

This paper contains a syllabus and a description of a graduate/undergraduate level course in computer graphics offered by the Electrical Engineering Department at Auburn University. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental hardware and software components of real-time computer graphics systems. Topics covered include characteristics and features of hardware components, general-purpose graphics software, display files, two and three-dimensional transformations, clipping and windowing, perspective, hidden-line elimination and shading. Interactive graphics and a survey of applications will also be included.Classroom lectures and presentations are supplemented by laboratory demonstrations and student projects. Laboratory facilities will be described in the paper. Available equipment includes a DEC GT42 Graphics System, Tektronix 4012, 4013, and 4014 Graphics Terminals, and a Tektronix 4631 Hardcopy Unit. All of the above units are supported by a DEC PDP 11/40 under the RSTS/E System. A graphics utility package common to both the refreshed and stored graphics terminals is being developed.

Computer engineering at Auburn University

The computer engineering program offered by the Electrical Engineering Department of Auburn University is described. Bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. degree programs in Electrical Engineering may be pursued with specialization in computer engineering. Auburns computer engineering program is structured to emphasize computer system design and utilization including both hardware and software considerations.A broad spectrum of courses is offered in computer engineering at both the undergraduate and the graduate level. Brief descriptions of the courses are given in the paper. Subjects covered in the courses range from traditional topics such as logic design, computer organization, and programming to various specialized topics. Computer architecture, computer graphics, coding theory, fault diagnosis, and fault-tolerant computing are but some of the specialized topics covered.Research is a fundamental aspect of any graduate program. The computer engineering research activities at Auburn are described in the paper. Graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty participate in a wide range of sponsored and unsponsored projects. Laboratory facilities available for support of the projects will also be discussed.Another important aspect of the computer engineering program at Auburn is extension activities. Short course and conference activities oriented toward computer engineering are frequently offered by the faculty at various locations within the state of Alabama and are briefly discussed here.

A language for boolean function representation and manipulation

A language ABAL (Auburn Boolean Algebra Language) is described in this paper that permits machine representation and manipulation of Boolean functions. Functions may be specified in algebraic form or as lists of minterms or maxterms. Types of operations available in the language include functional form changes, simplification rules, prime implicant or prime implicate generation, functional minimization, functional combinations using Boolean operators, and truth table generation. ABAL is written in Basic-Plus for execution on a DEC PDP 11/40 RSTS/E System.