The LASL Tandem Accelerator Facility Data System

An on-line data processing system has recently been placed in operation in conjunction with two electrostatic accelerators at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. The system consists of a Scientific Data Systems Model 930 computer and an experiment-computer interface unit designed and fabricated at LASL. The system provides for time-shared operation of three separate experiments. Up to nine fast analog-to-digital converters may be utilized by these three experiments. These ADCs may be connected and fanned-in to the computer in a variety of ways ranging from nine simultaneously operating separate devices to a combination for a nine parameter coincidence experiment. The system design places considerable emphasis upon rapid set-up to facilitate change from one experiment to another. Provision has been made for ccmputer control of experimental apparatus, and for data input to the computer from other sources such as scalers, clocks and voltmeters. The interface portion of the system has been implemented entirely with integrated circuits and is modular to the extent that future expansion can easily be accomplished.