Reflective memory
Reflective Memory is a means to share common data between different and independent systems deterministically [1]. Such systems using a common reflective memory form a reflective memory network which is a deterministic one, when any system of the network acquired data and writes it to its local memory, such data is written locally to all other systems, this behaviour is like a dual-ported memory system. Reflective memory networks are real-time local area networks which each device or computer has always a local up-to-date copy of the shared data set. These networks are designed for highly deterministic data communications delivering tightly timed performance required on distributed control systems or simulations. Reflective memory technology are focused to applications were determinism, simplicity for implementation and lack of software overhead are very important considerations.
Reflective memory was developed in the 1980’s, this technology was by VMIC for applications in VME systems [2]. Usually reflective memory devices are connected together by means of fibber optic. It is commonly used with Real-Time operating systems, VXI and other platforms. VMIC was acquired by GE Fanuc, a cooperative venture between GE and Fanuc of Japan, but is now wholly owned by GE and operates as a part of the GE Intelligent Platforms business unit of GE.[1] National Instruments Inc. supports GEIP's line of RFM cards within their tools.
Examples of reflective memory application are:
1) the Large Binocular Telescope, where it has been reported that each subsystem of the telescope control system includes ethernet connection for reflective memory [3].
2) CERN[2]
3) Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR)[1] plasma control system (PCS) [3]
External links
- Reflective Memory
- What is Reflective Memory and Where do I go for Support?
- Real Time Networking with Reflective Memory
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Intelligent_Platforms GE Intelligent Platforms
- ↑ https://cds.cern.ch/record/922716/files/p430.pdf A general purpose reflective memory board for accelerator data acquisition and control system applications
- ↑ https://accelconf.web.cern.ch/accelconf/icalepcs2011/papers/mopks021.pdf HIGH-SPEED DATA HANDLING USING REFLECTIVE MEMORY THREAD FOR TOKAMAK PLASMA CONTROL
- [1] Il Joo Baek, A survey on Reflective Memory Systems, Proceedings on the 15th CISL Winter Workshop, February 2002, Kushu, Japan, available at the web at
- [2] A Modern Alternative to Reflective Memory and VME, App Note #027, United Electronic Industries, 2010, available at the web in
- [3] J. M. Hill et al, The Large Binocular Telescope, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 08/2008; DOI: 10.1117/12.790065