Informática

Ing. Aeroespacial

Computers

C1: Introduction

DISCA: Departamento de Informática de Sistemas y Computadores

Rev. 05
Introduction Informática

What are the most complex systems

created by humans?
How can we build complex systems?

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Introduction Informática

o Systems
o Computers

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Systems Informática

Black boxes and abstraction

A black box is an object which interacts with the environment through its
interface: inputs and outputs
The implementation or internals of a black box are “opaque” (black).
We are interested in what it does rather than in how it does it: its
functionality.
Abstraction is a process that allows to suppress all unneeded details from an
object and to retain only information which is relevant for a particular
purpose.
- Black boxes are a way of abstracting a real system.
inputs outputs
X1 Y1
X2 Y2
... black box ...
Xn Yn
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Systems Informática

Examples of black boxes

An adder
Implementation????
- It could be electronic, mechanical, ....

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Systems Informática

Examples of black boxes

A vending machine

inputs vending machine outputs

product
product
code

coins change

watch the following commercial:

‣ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwCn-D5xFdc 6
Systems Informática

System concept (I)

A system denotes a compound entity: it is a black box whose
implementation is a set of interacting or interdependent systems and
relationships between systems (recursive definition).
System composition: ability to interact and to combine with other systems in
order to configure a more complex system.
Complex system: A system composed of many components which may
interact with each other.
- Q1: So, how can we build complex systems?

3op. adder
X1 2 op.
X2 adder 2 op. Y
adder
X3
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Systems Informática

System concept (II)

Very important to distinguish between its specification and its
implementation.
- Specification: defines its interface and its functionality. It includes
the definition of all the inputs and outputs and their types.
- Implementation: defines its components and the system
structure. It is not unique.
System validation and certification.
- Validation: checking that a particular implementation meets the
system specifications. It usually refers to the correctness in terms
of functionality.
- Certification: checking that it not only meets the correctness
specifications, but also some additional performance, quality or
safety requirements.
‣ Certification procedures and standards for Avionics. DO-178B: Software
Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification. 8
Systems Informática

Continuous time vs. discrete time systems

Continuous-time system: inputs and outputs are defined over a time domain
which is continuous. Example: T=[0,5]
Discrete-time system: the time domain is a discrete set of values. Example
T= {0,1,2,3,4,5}. Inputs are only sampled at time instants in the domain and
outputs are reevaluated each time the inputs are sampled.

Continuous-time Y(t) = adder(2,t) Discrete-time Y(t) = adder(2,t)

?
?

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Introduction Informática

Systems
Computers

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Computers Informática

Computer hardware and software

A computer is a programmable machine designed to solve problems
automatically by executing a sequence of instructions (program).
- Hardware: physical system that implements the computer. The fixed parts
that make up a computer. Currently based on digital systems (combinational
and sequential circuits).
- Software: programs or list of instructions to solve a problem. They can be
changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of
problem.

“Programmable” machine
Its physical structure (hardware) is generic: it has not been designed to solve
a particular problem, but a wide range of problems.
- This is what makes a computer different to most of other machines like an
engine or a screwdriver...

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Computers Informática

Computer as an information processing system

System which takes information, processes it and provides the processed
information at the output.
- The program specifies how information is processed.
- Information needs to be encoded to the computer format.
Computer peripherals: allows interaction with the environment.
- Device attached to computer that expands the computer capabilities by allowing it
to take information in/out from/to the environment.
input
peripherals output
peripherals

Information Computer Information

Program

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Computers Informática

Computer as a digital system

A computer is a complex system made up of lots of subsystems.
Main computer subsystems are studied in chapter 3: Arithmetic-Logic Unit
(ALU), Control Unit (CU), Memory, ... All these subsystems are, in turn,
made up of digital systems:
- Combinational circuits.
- Sequential circuits.

Combinational
circuits
Computer
Sequential
CU circuits
ALU
Memory

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Computers Informática

Computer categories
General purpose computers: they usually interact with human users and execute a large
variety of programs.
- Wide functionality. Examples: desktops, laptops, servers, etc.
Embedded systems: computers specialized in a specific task. They often interact with a
machine (vehicle, engines, ...). Their goal is usually to take control or guidance over a
machine. Also most computer-based electronic appliances.
- Reduced functionality.
- Very specialized input and output devices called sensors and actuators.
‣ Sensor: device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into an
electrical signal or a computer code.
‣ Actuator: mechanism by which a computer acts upon the environment by
transforming an electrical signal or a computer output into some kind of motion.
- Examples 1: machine controllers, onboard computers, autopilots, vending machines,
- Examples 2: mobile phones, smart TV set.
Supercomputers: for tasks requiring a lot of computing resources.
- Examples of applications: airplane and spacecraft aerodynamics modelling and
simulation, weather forecasting, molecular modeling.
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Computers Informática

Computer categories and their (relative) computing power

Embedded computers

Aircraft
Engine injection navigation
Coffee control system computers
maker
Desktop/laptop Supercomputers
computers

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000

Relative computing power

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(1.0 = the average power of a standard desktop PC)
Computers Informática

Examples of embedded system

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): it computes the aircraft attitude that
define the aircraft orientation: roll, pitch and yaw.
- Based on inertial sensors (also available in most mobile phones): They
detect motion: three-axis accelerometer, gyroscope and compass to
detect the geomagnetic field.

inputs outputs

accel. ϕ

gyros. IMU θ
compass Ψ

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Computers Informática

FMC (Flight Manager Computer)

Navigation
An FMS is a specialized computer Database
system that automates a wide variety
of in-flight tasks, especially navigation Navigation
guidance. Sensors &
- The pilot programs the flight plan. Navaids

- The FMC guides navigation using:

Flight plan
‣ A navigation database
‣ Data from navaids, GPS and other
sensors.

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Computers Informática

Fly-by-wire systems (I)

Push-Rod
Controls
Yoke Aileron
mechanical /
pneumatic Wing
systems

Fly-by-wire
Controls

Yoke Wires Aileron

servos Wing

FCS
Flight
Control μcontroller
IMU
System
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Computers Informática

Fly-by-wire systems (II)

System that replaces the conventional mechanical flight controls of an aircraft with
electronic devices.
- The movements of flight controls (yoke, pedals) and sensors (accelerometers,
gyroscopes, Pitot tubes, etc.) are converted to electronic signals.
- Signals are transmitted between the aircraft subsystems through wires.
- Signals feed a computer called the Flight Control System (FCS) which computes
the control actions and sends them to the control surfaces (ailerons, elevators,
flaps, etc.) and to the engines using more wires.
Redundancy: most elements have a back-up to improve reliability.
Advantages of FBW over mechanical and hydro-mechanical flight control systems:
- Lighter than mechanical systems, so they save weight.
- Easier routing through the aircraft.
- Much more flexible control.
Disadvantage:
- Terrible mess of kilometers of wire (important design problem in A380):

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Complexity of computer-based systems Informática

LINES OF CODE (I)

The control software to run a U.S. military drone uses 3.5 million lines of
code.
A Boeing 787 has 6.5 million lines behind its avionics and online support
systems.
Google Chrome (browser) runs on 6.7 million lines of code (upper estimate).
A Chevy Volt uses 10 million lines.
The Android operating system runs on 12-15 million lines.
The Large Hadron Collider uses 50 million lines.
Not including backend code, Facebook runs on 62 million lines of code.
With the advent of sophisticated, cloud-connected infotainment systems, the
car software in a modern vehicle apparently uses 100 million lines of code.
This is according to Wired magazine.
All Google services combine for a whopping 2 billion lines.
MORE INFO: http://www.visualcapitalist.com/millions-lines-of-code/ 20
Complexity of computer-based systems Informática

LINES OF CODE (II)

Q2: So, now, what do you think are the most complex systems
created by humans?
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