Computer Control for the Maryland Cyclotron

The isochronous cyclotron at the University of Maryland has been designed to allow computer control of all machine operations in a manner which permits unique operational flexibility. Digital control lines, 16 bits wide, run from various devices in the laboratory to a central multiplexer unit. From there, they are routed to either the operator´s console or to a computer data bus. The data bus is attached to a small control computer which will be interfaced to an on-line IBM 360/44, and it will be capable of reading and setting machine controls as well as communicating with the machine operator. The software of the control computer will consist of a highly simplified time sharing system which will coordinate the execution of several independent software modules called ´tasks´. Each task will pertain to a particular control function, and the operating system will ´time share´ among several tasks, allowing them to run concurrently. It is intended that this system will greatly simplify normal operations, allowing the operator greater freedom from menial chores.