Abstract

Computer simulation could be used to reduce the cost of designing human-machine systems, just as it is currently used in the design process for inanimate systems such as electronic circuits. However, past efforts have met with limited success due to difficulties modeling the human components of these systems. We have constructed a software framework and methodology for modeling human performance, APEX, that addresses several of these difficulties. This paper describes a methodology for using APEX to evaluate designs in complex, dynamic task environments; we then illustrate this process using an example from the domain of air traffic control. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

A study was made of the flow of data and the simultaneous processing needed to reduce the 10/sup 7/ to 10/sup 8/ triggers per second expected at ISABELLE to a number of events on the order of 10 to 100 per second which would be written on magnetic tape. It was assumed that within 100 ns of the event a fast pretrigger would have reduced the data rate to at most 10/sup 7/ per second. At that point, data from all sense elements in the experiment would be fed into a 1-..mu..s-long pipeline. Within the first 1 ..mu..s (while the data are in the first pipeline) another level of triggering would reduce the trigger rate to at most 10/sup 6/ per second. The data would then be fed into a second pipeline which is 50 ..mu..s long. During the 50 ..mu..s the data are in the second pipeline, a more sophisticated level of triggering (slow trigger) would reduce the trigger rate to a level that can be handled by standard data processing techniques (microprocessors or larger machines), i.e., 10/sup 2/ to 10/sup 3/ per second. The pipelines and the buffer between them, a sequential address memory, are described first, andmore » then several alternative schemes for the pretrigger and slow trigger are presented. 10 figures.« le Document type: Report