Application of 1553B to MRASM (Medium Range Air to Surface Missile)-A systems Look

MRASM (Medium Range Air to Surface Missile) is the first missile to incorporate a MIL-STD-1553B data bus as the primary means of data transfer among the elements of the missile. The Standard, built around applications which could dedicate major computing power to manage the affairs of the data bus, posed a challenge to MRASM because this bus management function needed to be performed on the input/output card which fit in an existing computer design, while not utilizing its host computer on a continuing basis. This paper reviews the process by which the data bus operation was defined, describes the protocol adopted for timely transfer of data, and argues the case for the system design decisions. This article is from 'Proceedings Papers of the AFSC (Air Force Systems Command) Avionics Standardization Conference (2nd) Held at Dayton, Ohio on 30 November-2 December 1982. Volume 1', ADA142776, p295-304.