Abstract: The smart canister systems disclosed herein enables missile population to increase while minimizing the need for additional interface hardware. Particularly, multiplexing and demultiplexing functions and conversion flexibility enable the system to be adaptable to different types of missile characteristics and hardware. A redundant, bi-directional bus architecture with a distributed and dynamically reconfigurable control as well as enhanced built-in-test, fault monitoring and display capability enable the smart canister systems to provide a faster response time and higher launcher availability in a multifarious missile environment.

Abstract: A data bus system having enhanced survivability includes a plurality of serially connected active terminals which may be configured in a user access mode to service users coupled thereto or a diagnostic mode during which the terminals undertake an analysis of the condition of the system and a determination is made of the optimum available system configuration. Complementary redundant transmission paths extend between each terminal and the terminal adjacent together with a bypass transmission path which couples each terminal with the terminal beyond the adjacent terminal. The bypass paths in conjunction with the complementary transmission paths operate to allow a greater number of faults to occur in the transmission paths without bus degradation.