Application of Data

Compression to the
MIL-STD-1553 Data Bus
Scholar’s Day
Feb. 1, 2008
By Bernard Lam
 Overview
 Background
 MIL-STD-1553
 Bus Trace Analysis
 Solutions – Compression Algorithms
 Zero-Tracking, Modified Run-Length, and
Differential
 Error Analysis
 Conclusions & Future Research
 Goal Of Research
 To extend the bandwidth capabilities
of MIL-STD-1553 Bus, using
compression techniques.

 Develop algorithms suitable for

legacy systems

 Demonstrate that the time to

compress and decompress data is
offset by the overall savings in data
 Timing Analysis
No Compression
Get Data

Compute Outputs

Transmit Outputs

Time saved in receiving fewer words Compression

Time required to receive compressed data

Get Data
Extra time to compress data
Extra time need to decompress data

Compute Outputs

Transmit Outputs

Time required to transmit data TIME SAVED

Timing Diagram
 Background ~ MIL-STD-
1553
 MIL-STD-1553 serial
data bus
 Developed in the late
1960’s and early 1970’s
 Limited/Low Bandwidth
 1 Mb/s
 Has lead to development System Model
of multiple independent
busses
 Time division multiple
(TDM) access
 Background ~ MIL-STD-
1553
 MIL-STD-1553 (cont’d)
 Manchester Bi-phase encoding
 Data word size: 16 bit

 Sync Waveform Message Format

 Parity Bit
 Background ~ MIL-STD-
1553
 MIL-STD-1553 (cont’d)
 Max. single-command transmission
size of 32 words
 Safety and Mission Critical System

 Real-Time System

 Replacement of MIL-STD-1553 with

updated bus protocol, such as Fibre
Channel, not a viable solution
because of extensive costs.
 Bus Trace Analysis
 Analysis was conducted using data
from multiple bus traces of data
captured at the F/A – 18 Advanced
Weapons Laboratory.

 Each trace represented roughly 30

seconds of flight data and included
examples of mode changes and
start-up conditions.
 Bus Trace Analysis

 Significant amount of zeros

Percent of Zeros

20 Hz 10 Hz 5 Hz
Max % Zeros 96.3% 90.1% 78.6%
Min % Zeros 53.5% 88.5% 72.0%
Avg. % Zeros 68% 88.8% 73.5%
 Bus Trace Analysis

 Limited number of changes between

consecutive message transmissions

Percent of Changes
20 Hz 10 Hz 5 Hz
Max %
21.7% 27.5% 78.6%
Changes
Min %
2.0% 0% 2%
Changes
Avg. %
3.9% 3.3% 3.3%
Changes
 Data Compression
 Lossless vs. Lossy Compression
 Lossless
 Original data is completely retrievable by
means of decompression
 Ex. Winzip, GIF

 Lossy
 Lose information; original data not
retrievable when decompressed
 Higher Compression Ratios

 E.g., jpeg, mpeg, mp3

 Data Compression
 Coding Performance and Efficiency
 Measured by compression ratio

raw _ size
Compression _ Ratio 
compressed _ size

FFFF FFFF
FFFF xxxx FFFF
yyyy AFC1
AFC1 compress decompr
AFC1 ess AFC1
 Data Compression
 Criteria
 Lossless Compression

 Take advantage of message format of

MIL-STD-1553

 Limit worst case expansion

 Limit computational and memory

requirements
Compression Algorithms
 Common Value Tracking
 Zero-Tracking

 Modified Run-Length Encoding

 Differential Encoding
 Zero Tracking
 Encodes long sequences containing
mostly zeros

 Uses marker sequence to indicate

the position of zeros
 Transmits
 Position Address (marker sequence)
 Non-Zero Data Words
 Zero-Tracking Encoding
Word Input
(Example)
Encode
Count Data ZT d Data
(Hex) (Hex) (Hex)
Bit
0 0 1 CBD0
Position
1 0 1 FFFF Word
2 FFFF 0 59
3 59 0 AC9F
Original _ Size
4 0 1 486 Compression _ Ratio 
Compressed _ Size
5 AC9F 0
12
6 0 1 Compression _ Ratio   2.4
5
7 0 1
8 0 1
9 0 1
A 486 0
B 0 1
 Zero Tracking
 If a 32-word block is compressed
 2 data words are required to indicate
positions
 Can transmit maximum of 31
uncompressed data words
 Most significant bit in 1st address word is
used to indicate if uncompress/compressed
 Worst Case Compression Ratio
 comp. ratio = 31/32
 Modified Run-Length
Encoding
 Encodes consecutive sequences of
identical words

 Uses marker sequence to indicate

the presence of repeated sequences
within block set

 For block of 32 words

 Worst Case Expansion – 31/32
 Modified Run-Length
Word Input
(Example)
Encode
Count Data RT d Data
(Hex) (Hex) (Hex)
Bit
0 0 0 67A0
Position
1 0 1 0 Word
2 0 1 FFFF
3 FFFF 0 5604 Original _ Size
Compression _ Ratio 
4 5604 0 9840 Compressed _ Size
5 5604 1 B1F4 12
Compression _ Ratio   2
6 5604 1 6
7 5604 1
8 5604 1
9 9840 0
A 9840 1
B B1F4 0
 Differential Encoding
 Encodes only changes of previous vs.
current word locations
 A differential scheme takes
advantage of the fact that for a given
rate group one transmission to the
next does not change
 Two buffers are required for
comparison of previous and current
transmissions
 Differential Encoding
Word Previo Curre Encod
Coun us nt ed
t DT
Data Data Data
(Hex) (Hex) (Hex) (Hex) Bit
0 0054 0054 0 20D0 Position
1 0815 0815 0 12F8 Word
2 AF58 12F8 1 9FB2
3 0000 0000 0 FDA9
Original _ Size
4 0000 0000 0 A14F Compression _ Ratio 
Compressed _ Size
5 6542 6542 0
12
6 FFFF FFFF 0 Compression _ Ratio   2.4
5
7 FFFF FFFF 0
8 2222 9FB2 1
9 8966 FDA9 1
A 8966 8966 0
B 0052 A14F 1
 Compression Ratios

Average Compression Ratios For Algorithms

20 Hz 10 Hz 5 Hz
MC1 MC2 MC1 MC2 MC1 MC2
Zero-Tracking 2.63 1.66 4.65 3.39 2.44 2.60
Mod. Run-
1.34 1.97 2.44 2.80 2.13 1.17
Length
Differential 12.47 5.74 14.47 7.22 8.37 1.31
 Compression Bit Status
 1st Bit of 1st 16-bit word indicates the
compression status
 ‘1’ - equals uncompressed
 ‘0’ – equals compressed
Block Set Format
Compress Bit Position
ion Status 1
0 15 bits Word
Bit Position
16 bits Word

31 – 16 bit
31
30 Data
Data Words
Words
Data
30 – 16Words
bit
Data Words
 Transmission Error
Effects
 Effects of data errors can be
amplified when using data
compression

 If higher levels of error detection and

correction (EDAC) are needed, one or
more data words can be dedicated to
EDAC
 Transmission Error
Effects
 Standard 1553 Error Checking
 Bit Errors can be detected
 Exception – multiple-bit errors without
parity change cannot be detected
 Common Value Tracking
 If an undetected error is in the bit
position word, multiple words can be
corrupted.
 If an undetected error is in the data
word, only that word location is
impacted
 Transmission Error
Effects
 Modified Run-Length Compression
 Like zero tracking a error in the bit
position word can invalidate a run
 Error dramatically worse result than that
of zero-tracking
 Differential Encoding
 Error in address word can result
incorrect updating
 Worst Case – All data words are updated

 Further Research Required

 Future Research
 Error Handling Routines

 Effects of mode-changing and start-

up

 Timing analysis for Run-Length and

Differential Encoding
 Conclusions
 Reviewed Statistical Analysis of Trace Data

 Able to achieve compression ratios greater

than one for all algorithms

 Discussed Error Analysis

 Preliminary timing simulations of timing

look promising
 Acknowledgements
 Dr. Russell Duren

 Dr. Michael Thompson

QUESTIONS?