The use of microprocessors in a timeshared computer facility for research, development, and teaching

Vesonder, Gregg; Lesgold, Alan M.; Wolf, Richard V.

doi:10.3758/bf03205336

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…A timesharing system can control experiments with minimal timing demands; however, in experiments for which timing of events must occur with millisecond accuracy, a timesharing system is inadequate without special provisions to disable timesharing or lock processes and set priorities. Also, as Vesonder et al (1978) point out, even with special provisions performance breaks down on heavily loaded timesharing systems.…”

Section: General-purpose Timesharing Facilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moving functions from the host to the satellite (1) increases the independence of the satellite, since the satellite can operate longer without callingon the host, and (2) usually reduces the time required to perform operations by removing the time to communicate with the host from the total time to do the operation but (3) also entails increased hardware and software complexity for the satellite. At one extreme, the satellite microprocessor acts as a flexible, intelligent interface between the host and the outside world, which carries out specific operations but has no control function (Vesonder et al, 1978). At the other extreme, the satellite microprocessor can run an entire experiment without having to call on the host.…”

Section: Host-satellite Configurationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The range of possible systems can be thought of as a continuum with a general-purpose timesharing facility at one extreme and a stand-alone dedicated microprocessor at the other (Vesonder, Lesgold, & Wolf, 1978). Between the two extremes are various hostsatellite configurations.…”

Section: Choosing a Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A satellite system for controlling real-time experiments

Derr¹,

Wright²,

Coriell³

1982

Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation

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In this paper, we describe a computer system for controlling real-time psychology experiments. We begin by considering the kinds of experiments that are performed in our laboratory and examining the hardware and software requirements of these experiments. We then review various systems along a continuum ranging from general-purpose timesharing systems to stand-alone dedicated processors. The capabilities of these systems are described in comparison with our requirements. The features of the PARASITE-FS system are then described. This host-satellite system includes a local file system and monitor program, real-time device drivers with flexible interrupt processing capabilities, user-level routines for controlling the real-time devices, and a package for controlling the timing of experimental events.Psychologists in our laboratory and in other parts of Bell Laboratories conduct a variety of research in human information processing. In most of this research, computers are used as primary tools for data collection and analysis. In this paper, we describe how we developed a system that meets our particular computing needs. SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONSIn designing our system for controlling real-time experiments, we considered not only the kinds of experiments currently performed, but also the demands that future experiments might place on either the hardware or the software of a system. Data RateAs in most computer applications, the data-rate demands that our experiments place on the available hardware and software range from minimal to excessive. On the one hand, there are experiments for which timing to fractions of 1 sec or even 1 sec is adequate, and stimuli can be presented and data collected by a general-purpose timesharing computer using a standard terminal. An example is a text-editing experiment in which every character a subject types on the keyboard is recorded and the time measure of interest, the time to compose and enter commands, need only be measured in seconds.For a more typical application, the stimuli and responses are still simple, but their timing is important and must be made with millisecond accuracy. Anexample of this is a word recognition experiment in which a character string, followed by a mask, is presented on a visual display scope for durations measured in milliMel Melchner provided invaluable help during the initial stages of this work. Steve Hartwell transported the portable C compiler, loader, and other utilities to the VAX. Walt Kropf! designed the hardware interfaces to the visual display processors.seconds. The subject's time to press a response button is also measured in milliseconds. Here, an appropriate configuration might be a small microprocessor, with simple software, running either as a stand-alone system with a small disk or as a satellite of some larger host computer. If multiple subjects are run simultaneously, the system software needs to be more complex, but the basic hardware is still adequate. It is tempting, however, considering the relative costs of the hardware for...

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Section: General-purpose Timesharing Facilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Host-satellite Configurationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A satellite system for controlling real-time experiments

Derr¹,

Wright²,

Coriell³

1982

Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation

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Microcomputers in Anthropological Research

Kirk

1981

Sociological Methods & Research

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This article examines the potential offered by microcomputer technology to radically improve the effectiveness and productivity of team field research in anthropology. Microcomputers can offer in situ storage, retrieval, and analysis of field data and information. A microcomputer system may function as both a stand alone device and as a terminal to a mainframe, time sharing computer. Drawing from pilot projects using microcomputers, the various dimensions of feedback, consequences for fieldwork strategies, and efficiency are explored.

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Computer control of memory experiments on a large-scale timesharing system

Friendly

Franklin

1979

Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation

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The use of microprocessors in a timeshared computer facility for research, development, and teaching

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

A satellite system for controlling real-time experiments

A satellite system for controlling real-time experiments

Microcomputers in Anthropological Research

Computer control of memory experiments on a large-scale timesharing system

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