Frame Relay - for Faster and More Efficient Data Communications ...

19determined period, for presenting certainstatistical information, and for showing (bymeans of histograms) how the data is distributed,Fig. 8. Quarterly reporting of fibrestatistics is one application of this software.A production report shows the output of thefibre manufacture at Ericsson Cable's ownfactories, both for defined periods of theyear and on a per-year-basis. The figuresshow the approved amount of fibre, expressedeither in number of metres or asa percentage of the total length of drawnfibre. Report items include the number ofdrawn preforms, the relation between actualand theoretical results, and the lengthof approved or rejected fibre.Expected future developmentFlexibilityToday, 30 peripheral units (terminals, teststations, etc) can be connected to the mini-computerof the Dehlfi system. Since thesystem would be useful to more technical,production and inspection staff, an extensionis being planned according to twomain options:- Extension of the present star-shapednetwork by adding serial ports on themini-computer. This will permit connectionof 80 users- Installation of an LAN (Local Area Network).The advantage of this option istwofold: a larger number of users can beconnected, and the LAN can be connectedto the existing PC network.Both options require extension of the primarymemory to 16 Mbyte.A result of the in-house development of thesoftware is high flexibility. Programs in thedatabase and in the test stations can easilybe modified in step with the introductionof changes to design and production procedures.International applicationThe Dehlfi system is available in threelanguages: English, Spanish and Swedish.In addition to the Swedish Hudiksvallfactory, the system has been in operationat Ericsson's new Fibroco factory in Spainsince that factory was inaugurated in July,1991. The English version is used whenguiding visitors from abroad and as a platformfor translations into other languages(only Spanish, so far).All further Dehlfi development work is doneat Hudiksvall. The English and Spanishversions are updated in parallel with thedevelopment of the Swedish software. Ourobjective is to be able to provide three mutuallycompatible versions.ReferencesLarsson, A. and NygSrd-Skalman, K.: SlottedCore Optical Fibre Cable. Ericsson Review65 (1988) :3, pp. 100-107Stensland, L. and Gustafsson, P.: FibreManufacture Using Microwave Technique.Ericsson Review /65(1988):4, pp. 152-157.