Kenneth L Kaiser

US Patent:

58729755, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Jun 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658710

Inventors:

Raymond C. Hedin - Apple Valley MN
Kenneth R. Kaiser - Eagan MN
Fernand Lucien Joseph Berard - Victoria, CA
Kent D. Wotherspoon - Winnipeg, CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G01D 1600

US Classification:

395701

Abstract:

A computer system and method of operation has a retargeting program and apparatus which permits adding incorrectly targeted processors and a maintenance interface module (MIM) and automatically retargets them for the correct system. Each processor first determines its own system type, and the overall system type. Incorrectly targeted processors wait for retargeting, while correctly targeted processors select a master processor. The master processor retargets all incorrectly targeted processors by transferring an image of its correctly targeted firmware microcode into their RAM to be burned into their firmware. The MIM is retargeted using master processor code. Only accurately targeted or retargeted processors and MIM can be incorporated into the operating system.