Steps involved in updating an older data acquisition and control system

Several companies and labs have older automated instrumentations systems that they may want to update to newer, move supportable equipment. This paper describes the parting of an older data acquisition system controlled by a Rocky Mountain BASIC (RMB) workstation to newer VXI based instruments controlled by a modern PC. Since there was a considerable investment in the RMB program running the system, the company wanted to continue to use it if possible. The use of a Windows software package that runs RMB programs allowed this program to be ported to a PC with few changes. The resultant system is Y2K compliant and will provide many years of supportable service. The challenges encountered and the methods used to overcome them are relevant since there are many installed systems of this sort which will require a similar process to make them useful into the future. Engineers will want to be aware of the scope of the modifications and the time and resources required to accomplish them