Durability Test of the Dolch(Registered) 486DX33 Computer and Bio-Logic(Registered) Brain-Mapping Data Acquisition System

• Main Authors: Dal Santo, J. P., Bucci, J. R., Hayden, M. D., Clark, J. B.
• Other Authors: NAVAL AEROSPACE MEDICAL RESEARCH LAB PENSACOLA FL
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1995
• Subjects: Computer Programming and Software; Computer Hardware; Test Facilities; Equipment and Methods; *ADVERSE CONDITIONS; *COMPUTERS; *TEST AND EVALUATION; LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY SYSTEMS; PRESSURE; HIGH ALTITUDE; DATA ACQUISITION; COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT; JUNGLES; DESERTS; HUMIDITY; DECELERATION; DECOMPRESSION; ARCTIC REGIONS; AIRCRAFT CABINS; FLIGHT; PORTABLE EQUIPMENT; SOFTWARE TOOLS; SIMULATION; DATA ANALYSIS; HIGH ALTITUDE FLIGHT; PORTABLE COMPUTERS; RAPID DECOMPRESSION; PE0603706N; WUM00960017103; Arctic; Rockford
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA531670; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA531670

The purpose of this report is to test a commercially available portable computer and electrophysiologic data acquisition system under a variety of simulated environmental conditions. This durability test would establish the feasibility of this computer to collect human eletrophysiologic data in military subjects operating under extreme or adverse environmental conditions. A Dolch 486DX33 MHz 240 MB portable computer, a Bio-Logic Systems Corporation brain-mapping system card, an electrode attachment box, and a wave-form generator to simulate data acquisition and analysis were subjected to various environmental and physical conditions to establish operational specifications. Brain-mapping software was operating during all phases of testing. Norton Utilities Version 6.0, PC Tools Version 6.0 and Microsoft Version 6.21 Scandisk and Checkdisk Utilities were used to test for hard drive integrity and functionality. The computer's ability to operate and acquire synthetic biological data under various simulated field (Temperature and Relative Humidity (RH)) conditions was assessed in an Environmental Chamber. The computer operated for 1 h under each of the following conditions: Arctic (15 deg F/15% RH), Desert (120 deg F/15% RH), Jungle (105 deg F/85% RH). The computer was subjected to two simulated altitude flight profiles: a) high altitude flight, and b) rapid decompression (cabin pressure loss). The high altitude profile was 15,000 ft x 10 m, 20,000 ft x 10 m, 25,000 ft x 10 m 30,000 ft x 10 m, and 35,000 ft x 10 m. In the rapid decompression profile, the computer operating at 8000 ft, then rapidly depressurized to 22,000 ft over 2.07 s, and then returned to sea level at 36,000 ft per min. The computer was subjected to various acceleration profiles typical of aircraft flight (4.62-6.5-G forces), on a 20-foot centrifuge arm. The computer, hardware and software systemand acceleration/deceleration profiles tested. All component manufacturers' specifications were exceeded. Prepared in collaboration with MCJ Corporation, Rockford, IL. Accession no. DN241519.