MSFC-HDBK-3168 REV A

Abstract

The sole purpose of this Users Guide is to provide the user of the MLC Server (MLCS) software with an understanding of the ways in which the MLCS may be best utilized by their applications.<br>The Microgravity Science Glovebox Laptop Computer Server (MLCS) is a suite of applications that executes on the Microgravity Science Glovebox Laptop Computer (MLC). The MLCS runs under the Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4) an NT class operating system. The purpose of the MLCS is to abstract the input/output of the system when Experiment / Operations applications are running and provide support for various on orbit operations. The MLCS abstracts the 1553B interface to the Microgravity Science Glovebox Rack Controller, the Serial (RS232/RS422) connections and the Medium Rate Data Link (Ethernet). Instead of each application developer spending the time and effort required to get familiar with each of these interfaces, they may concentrate upon their specific application. The MLCS presents to the applications developer a relatively simple API that uses the basic Windows system function calls. The MLCS provides a consistent interface to each application and allow multiple applications to share information through the defined application interface. The MLCS also provides for extensive ground commanding support (Timelines, Process Control...) to support un-attended operation.