ZSA-ZSA: A Self-Policed Data Handling Facility for Multiple Detector Experiments

Dual Zone Spatial Analysis (ZSA2 or ZSA-ZSA) performs spatial (position) analysis of detector data, applying techniques familiar in two-parameter pulse-height analysis. ZSA-ZSA is designed to police multiple-detector (hodoscope) nuclear experiments during initial setup and throughout data accumulation and readout. Interconnection, timing, and operational errors, equipment failure, detector misalignment, and noise pulses are detected, annunciated, localized, and tallied. Programmed test routines simulate the experiment. Data logging further assures integrity. Simultaneous studies are readily performed by steering data to different memory locations. The current version handles two 32 detector arrays plus control detectors. Capacity is limited by the 1024 word (17 bit words) ferrite core memory.