The Space Shuttle used 6502S OH YEAH!!!

[Nightmaretony]

http://halfbyte.spaces.live.com/default ... =615585275

read the Space Computers section....

[BigEd]

Interesting idea, but - (here's the direct link to the article) - unfortunately I can't find any confirmation, on the linked resources given or elsewhere.

Anyone got a reference or a description of the system in question?

The following sites are interesting and relevant but none of them mention 6502 in space:

• Cpu shack has a page on CPUs in space
  The wikipedia article on Galileo only says that the same programming language was used on some Shuttle systems as was used on Galileo
  This site on Shuttle computers
  NASA's Computers in Spaceflight site (more or less an online book)
  1802 in space page

[BigEd]

Another 1802-related link tells us of a 65SC02 in an OSCAR satellite - an amateur radio satellite.

[fachat]

This is our current summary of "6502 in space".

https://plus.google.com/108984290462000 ... rwKNeCbpcU

We couldn't verify the space shuttle, and neither the OSCAR. But we found PICOSATs with the 6502

André

[BigEd]

Courtesy of a recent Scott Manley video (hat tip to dp11) we learn that the 6502 is on the ISS and (I think) by extension were also on the Shuttle. Specifically, the battery chargers for the batteries used by the spacesuits presently used by US astronauts for missions outside the ISS contain a 6502. (Acronym alert: for Shuttle, read STS; for spacesuits, read EMU; for missions outside, read EVA; for charger, read BCM.)

Relevant photos and diagram in this PDF

[tmr4]

It seems the BCM was causing problems. From page 6 of

BigEd wrote:

Relevant photos and diagram in this PDF

Quote:

It is believed that electrical noise, as a result of insufficient filtering, being generated from the “as delivered” BCM is responsible for the undercharge condition. Ground testing with an upgraded BCM has successfully demonstrated a full charge of the EMU battery. In April 2002, 2 upgraded BCMs were installed in the Joint Airlock, replacing 2 older configuration BCMs. An in-flight experiment is scheduled for late May 2002 to determine if the upgrades made to the BCMs will solve this undercharge condition.

So, is 6502 still at the space station? This 2010 document notes an award to a team that replaced the "anomalous BCM".

Quote:

Battery Charger Module (BCM) Team of Oceaneering Space Systems - Dedicated effort and exceptional technical expertise enabling the Space Station Program to replace anomalous on-orbit BCM units, and provide future ISS crews with reliable battery charging and discharging capabilities for years to come.

Perhaps NASA works slowly and this is an award for the 2002 work. Or maybe there is a new design on board now.

[BigEd]

> So, is 6502 still at the space station?

Interesting question... perhaps a good one to ask over on https://space.stackexchange.com/ - could then bring the answer back here.

I get the impression NASA publishes all sorts of technical documents - the challenge is in finding the right one.

[tmr4]

BigEd wrote:

I get the impression NASA publishes all sorts of technical documents - the challenge is in finding the right one.

I didn't realize so much information was available. It looks like the BCM was replaced in 2016 as EVA batteries were transitioned to a lithium type and the BCM couldn't charge those (discussed in this document).

Quote:

There are four key components to EVA’s SPCE: the Battery Charger Module (BCM), Power Supply Assembly (PSA), Fluid Pumping Unit (FPU), and Umbilical Interface Assembly (UIA). The PSA’s limiting items are its electrical components. Although the current life of the PSA is set to expire in 2016, lifetime extensions are planned though 2028 and are considered low risk. The fleet leader evaluations of the FPU and UIA both uncovered issues that will not allow them to be life extended. The ISS Program has approved projects to redesign both items, with expected delivery dates of 2015 for the UIA and 2016 for the FPU which meet the required replacement dates. The BCM is also planned to be replaced due to a technology change in EVA batteries. All EVA batteries will be converted to Lithium technology by 2016 and the existing BCM is not capable of charging them, has numerous fault issues and will be expiring in 2016. Therefore, the ISS Program has approved a replacement battery charger project that will launch a new battery charging system in 2016.

I've emailed a Program Manager for the BCM around that timeframe to see if any information is available on the problems the system was having and what replaced it. I'll report back if I get a reply.

[BigEd]

Good digging - it'll be interesting to hear more if you find out more. It may be then that the 6502's time on the International Space Station is over.

[tokafondo]

About NASA and 6502...

19770005087.pdf

"An assembler for the MOS Technology 6502 processor..."

(21.87 MiB) Downloaded 88 times

19850013682.pdf

"AUTOMATIC MULTI-BANKING OF MEMORY FOR MICROPROCESSORS"

(751.33 KiB) Downloaded 90 times

19850026198.pdf

"HARDWARE MATH FOR THE 6502 MICROPROCESSOR"

(6.65 MiB) Downloaded 85 times

I could continue uploading files but if actually interested google this:

Quote:

site:nasa.gov filetype:pdf 6502

I hope this contribute to the thread.

[BigEd]

Looks good - I'll have to pick through those...

[tmr4]

tokafondo wrote:

About NASA and 6502...

File comment: "AUTOMATIC MULTI-BANKING OF MEMORY FOR MICROPROCESSORS"

...

Interesting. This attachment is a Patent, granted in 1984 and assigned to NASA by the inventor, Gordon A. Wiker. Does this mean that NASA owns the patent for memory banking on the 6502? Do we have to pay royalties?

[Sean]

tmr4 wrote:

tokafondo wrote:

About NASA and 6502...

File comment: "AUTOMATIC MULTI-BANKING OF MEMORY FOR MICROPROCESSORS"

...

Interesting. This attachment is a Patent, granted in 1984 and assigned to NASA by the inventor, Gordon A. Wiker. Does this mean that NASA owns the patent for memory banking on the 6502? Do we have to pay royalties?

It is not a patent on banking per-se, but on a particular method of automatic banking using indirect addressing. By this date it would have expired. A quick skim suggests this was something somewhat akin to the 6509 but external to the CPU, and op-code recognition part reminds me of what I've read about the KimKlone (by Dr. Jefyl?).

[BigDumbDinosaur]

tmr4 wrote:

This attachment is a Patent, granted in 1984 and assigned to NASA by the inventor, Gordon A. Wiker. Does this mean that NASA owns the patent for memory banking on the 6502? Do we have to pay royalties?

You don’t have to pay royalties, but you do have to fuel up one of NASA’s rockets.

[BigEd]

I've started a new thread for this interesting extension scheme:
NASA's 6502 memory extension patent (by Wiker)