Approaches
Complete Modernization (System Replacement)
- sensors and transmitters;
- logic solvers, I/O modules (FPGA-based platform is used);
- cabinets;
- communication links;
During the design process of the new system, experience of operation of the obsolete system is being taken into account to identify its strengths and weaknesses and choose the most appropriate solutions for replacement.
Partial Modernization
The second option is a partial modernization when only the most critical/obsolete equipment is being replaced. In this case new equipment has necessary interfaces to be connected to the remaining components of the existing system. For example, RPC Radiy produced UKTS modules that were used to replace obsolete control modules that were not available at market anymore. These UKTS modules were pin-to-pin compatible with existing obsolete modules, but were based on modern electronic components. Another example is a FPGA implementation of obsolete PDP-8 minicomputer with possibility to utilize its proven-in-use software without changes.