Chapter 6 - Study and Change
“Loading Emergency Restart System Development Tools”
The main screen comes to life as a tactile keyboard folds out of the console.
The ERS/HSC is an embedded micro-controller with five basic sections. The first is the processor itself with 128 bit address bus. Second is two terabytes of RAM to run all the applications. Third is the System ROM which holds the core Real Time Operating System code base. This is used to keep all the various operations in check. Fourth is the Programmable ROM, or re-writable permanent memory. There are four sets of these, one pair each for the ERS and the HSC and their parameters. This will allow for the update of the parameters without having to worry about accidentally changing the working code in that specific sub-system. The final section is the Input/Output controller that handles the simple user interface and all control and monitoring of the ship's power and drive systems.
This window will show you the expected power utilization curves based on the current parameter values. It will automatically update as you change the parameters. If at any time the total remaining power curve falls below ten percent total power, you know you have exceeded the safety buffer for effective recovery and restart.
The first time you use this tool, you should not have to write any code, just set new control parameters for the various routines. This program will help you easily map the new parameter values to their proper locations in the parameter block of the re-writable memory.
If you had trouble with the restart attempt and would like to adjust control parameters for the four phases of restart click Edit Restart. If you had trouble with maintaining fusion reaction click Edit Run. If you have trouble controlling the fusion reactor click Edit Control.
Well, I need to work on the restart, so I clicked Edit Restart and a new window opened listing a myriad of parameters that can be edited. I look for the ones specifically that the computer suggested.
First Phase Parameters: Initial Fuel Quantity, Initial Containment field density, Injector Preheat Frequency, Injector Preheat Power, Injector Pressure.
I need to adjust the Frequency so I click on it and up the number by 4000 megahertz. Then I adjust the power level up by 2500 kilovolts. As I accept these changes the estimated power curve change, but everything is still within safety limits, so I move on to Second Phase Parameters.
The list includes: Containment field density delta, Delta Duration, Ion Pulse frequency, Ion Pulse Power, Pulse aperture size, duration of phase, duration of interval.
The only thing to change in this phase is the Pulse frequency so I up that by three times a second. The power utilization curve does not change much at all.
The third phase needs to have the containment field increased by three hundred thousand gauss for five seconds. The power curves take a hit here, but I still end up with sufficient power.
The fourth phase also has containment field changes. I increase the density by another five hundred thousand gauss for a duration of three seconds. The power curve takes a deep dip during the three seconds but still is above the ten percent safety margin.
I accept the changes and tell the program to prepare the parameter block for update.
Once the power system is fully charged, you will need to enter the following codes into the ERS/HSU keypad to prepare the system for the update. 'Load', C911-0000, 'Execute' This will stop all procedures that are running out of the re-writable memory units, idle all systems that are currently under its control, such as the fission reactor and chemical RCS. When the status displays '0000-0000' you can enter the initiate program upgrade code: 'C911-0100' for the ERS Parameter Block, 'C911-0200' for the ERS Code Block, 'C911-0500' for the HSU Parameter Block, and 'C911-0600' for the HSU Code Block, surrounded by the 'Load' and 'Execute' keys. Then in this program click the flash upgrade button on the section that you wish to upgrade.
If you enter the wrong code for the block you have been working on, the display will flash '9999-9999' then return to all zeros again. Each block has an identification header that the flash programmer will verify against the command to ensure the correct block is updated.
Once the flash programmer has verified the block identifier and integrity, the status display will cycle all the segments for each digit until it displays 8888-8888 for a completed update. If you need to load another block after this, just enter its code and proceed as above.
Once all of the updates are completed, enter 'Load', 'C911-FFFF', 'Execute' to reset the ERS/HCU and load the new parameters and code.
The power system still has two power cells to go so I guess I will wait. I seem to be doing a lot of waiting out here.
Finally the last of the power cells is charged and I enter 'Load' C911-0000, 'Execute' and the ERS display starts flashing numbers as the computer reports status changes..
“Fission reactor powering down to idle.”
“All maneuvering thrusters are locked in the off position.”
“ERS reports it is idle.”
The ERS display reads '0000-0000'
Alright, let's get this over with. Either it will work, or it won't. I key 'Load', C911-0100, 'Execute' into the keypad and click the flash upgrade button in the ERS Parameter block editor window. The ERS display goes dark and a single segment lights up and begins 'moving' around the outline of the character. Slowly it starts to leave a trail until the entire digit is filled out as an eight. Then it starts on the next digit. It proceeds like that until all the positions on the display are eights.
That should do it. Time to restart. I key in 'Load' C911-FFFF, 'Execute' and the ERS beeps once and displays '0000-0000' The computer reports, “ESR/HSC reports nominal” The flash update was successful.
The main screen comes to life as a tactile keyboard folds out of the console.
The ERS/HSC is an embedded micro-controller with five basic sections. The first is the processor itself with 128 bit address bus. Second is two terabytes of RAM to run all the applications. Third is the System ROM which holds the core Real Time Operating System code base. This is used to keep all the various operations in check. Fourth is the Programmable ROM, or re-writable permanent memory. There are four sets of these, one pair each for the ERS and the HSC and their parameters. This will allow for the update of the parameters without having to worry about accidentally changing the working code in that specific sub-system. The final section is the Input/Output controller that handles the simple user interface and all control and monitoring of the ship's power and drive systems.
This window will show you the expected power utilization curves based on the current parameter values. It will automatically update as you change the parameters. If at any time the total remaining power curve falls below ten percent total power, you know you have exceeded the safety buffer for effective recovery and restart.
The first time you use this tool, you should not have to write any code, just set new control parameters for the various routines. This program will help you easily map the new parameter values to their proper locations in the parameter block of the re-writable memory.
If you had trouble with the restart attempt and would like to adjust control parameters for the four phases of restart click Edit Restart. If you had trouble with maintaining fusion reaction click Edit Run. If you have trouble controlling the fusion reactor click Edit Control.
Well, I need to work on the restart, so I clicked Edit Restart and a new window opened listing a myriad of parameters that can be edited. I look for the ones specifically that the computer suggested.
First Phase Parameters: Initial Fuel Quantity, Initial Containment field density, Injector Preheat Frequency, Injector Preheat Power, Injector Pressure.
I need to adjust the Frequency so I click on it and up the number by 4000 megahertz. Then I adjust the power level up by 2500 kilovolts. As I accept these changes the estimated power curve change, but everything is still within safety limits, so I move on to Second Phase Parameters.
The list includes: Containment field density delta, Delta Duration, Ion Pulse frequency, Ion Pulse Power, Pulse aperture size, duration of phase, duration of interval.
The only thing to change in this phase is the Pulse frequency so I up that by three times a second. The power utilization curve does not change much at all.
The third phase needs to have the containment field increased by three hundred thousand gauss for five seconds. The power curves take a hit here, but I still end up with sufficient power.
The fourth phase also has containment field changes. I increase the density by another five hundred thousand gauss for a duration of three seconds. The power curve takes a deep dip during the three seconds but still is above the ten percent safety margin.
I accept the changes and tell the program to prepare the parameter block for update.
Once the power system is fully charged, you will need to enter the following codes into the ERS/HSU keypad to prepare the system for the update. 'Load', C911-0000, 'Execute' This will stop all procedures that are running out of the re-writable memory units, idle all systems that are currently under its control, such as the fission reactor and chemical RCS. When the status displays '0000-0000' you can enter the initiate program upgrade code: 'C911-0100' for the ERS Parameter Block, 'C911-0200' for the ERS Code Block, 'C911-0500' for the HSU Parameter Block, and 'C911-0600' for the HSU Code Block, surrounded by the 'Load' and 'Execute' keys. Then in this program click the flash upgrade button on the section that you wish to upgrade.
If you enter the wrong code for the block you have been working on, the display will flash '9999-9999' then return to all zeros again. Each block has an identification header that the flash programmer will verify against the command to ensure the correct block is updated.
Once the flash programmer has verified the block identifier and integrity, the status display will cycle all the segments for each digit until it displays 8888-8888 for a completed update. If you need to load another block after this, just enter its code and proceed as above.
Once all of the updates are completed, enter 'Load', 'C911-FFFF', 'Execute' to reset the ERS/HCU and load the new parameters and code.
The power system still has two power cells to go so I guess I will wait. I seem to be doing a lot of waiting out here.
Finally the last of the power cells is charged and I enter 'Load' C911-0000, 'Execute' and the ERS display starts flashing numbers as the computer reports status changes..
“Fission reactor powering down to idle.”
“All maneuvering thrusters are locked in the off position.”
“ERS reports it is idle.”
The ERS display reads '0000-0000'
Alright, let's get this over with. Either it will work, or it won't. I key 'Load', C911-0100, 'Execute' into the keypad and click the flash upgrade button in the ERS Parameter block editor window. The ERS display goes dark and a single segment lights up and begins 'moving' around the outline of the character. Slowly it starts to leave a trail until the entire digit is filled out as an eight. Then it starts on the next digit. It proceeds like that until all the positions on the display are eights.
That should do it. Time to restart. I key in 'Load' C911-FFFF, 'Execute' and the ERS beeps once and displays '0000-0000' The computer reports, “ESR/HSC reports nominal” The flash update was successful.
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