Abstract
The Windows 95/NT operating systems (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA) currently provide the only low-cost truly preemptive multitasking environment and as such become an attractive diagnostic workstation platform. The purpose of this project is to test and optimize display station graphical user interface (GUI) actions previously designed on the pseudomultitasking Macintosh (Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA) platform, and image data transmission using time slicing/dynamic prioritization assignment capabilities of the new Windows platform. A diagnostic workstation in the clinical environment must process two categories of events: user interaction with the GUI through keyboard/mouse input, and transmission of incoming data files. These processes contend for central processing units (CPU) time resulting in GUI “lockout” during image transmission or delay in transmission until GUI “quiet time.” WinSockets and the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocal (TCP/IP) communication protocol software (Microsoft) are implemented using dynamic priority timeslicing to ensure that GUI delays at the time of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) file transfer do not exceed 1/10 second. Assignment of thread priority does not translate into an absolute fixed percentage of CPU time. Therefore, the relationship between dynamic priority assignment by the processor, and the GUI and communication application threads will be more fully investigated to optimize CPU resource allocation. These issues will be tested using 10 MB/sec Ethernet and 100 MB/sec fast and wide Ethernet transmission. Preliminary results of typical clinical files (10 to 30 MB) over Ethernet show no visually perceptible interruption of the GUI, suggesting that the new Windows PC platform may be a viable diagnostic workstation option.
Key words: preemptive multitasking, diagnostic workstation, optimization, CPU resources
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (668.8 KB).
References
- 1.Avrin DE, Ramaswamy M, Andriole KP, et al: Preclinical testing of a cost effective digital modality diagnostic workstation. Presented at SCAR 94, Winston-Salem, NC, June 12–14, 1994
- 2.Ramaswamy M, Avrin DE, Andriole KP, et al. Use of personal computer technology in supporting a radiological review workstation. SPIE Medical Imaging Proceedings. 1994;2165:27–37. [Google Scholar]
- 3.Petzold C. Programming Windows 95. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press; 1996. [Google Scholar]
- 4.Bonner P. Network Programming with Windows Sockets. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall; 1995. [Google Scholar]
- 5.Avrin DE, Andriole KP, Arenson RL: Multi-tasking network communications and user interface in a Macintosh diagnostic workstation. Presented at SCAR 96, Denver, CO, June 6–9, 1996
- 6.Gillespy T, Rowberg AH. Radiological images on personal computers: Introduction and fundamental principles of digital images. J Digit Imaging. 1993;6:81–87. doi: 10.1007/BF03168434. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]