Common module system mass memory

Unisys' Electronic Information Systems Group has defined and is developing a high-technology solid-state system mass memory (SMM) unit for use aboard airborne DOD platforms like the ATF. This SMM unit uses JIAWG standard electronic module (SEM)-format E-module physical formats and an architecture implementation to provide a fail-soft operational flight program loading source. Surface mounted flash EEPROM devices provide the primary storage media on the array modules. Communications with processors on board aircraft are over two-orders-of-magnitude faster than previous program load devices. The author reviews the system load problems followed by the SMM unit description which solves these problems. The unit incorporates an Ada-based expert diagnostic system for two-level maintenance and a DOS-like command structure to simplify file maintenance.< >