Computer Control of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron

The controls of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron are being interfaced to a computer system. The initial implementation of the system is designed to reduce the time for setting up the cyclotron between experiments and to closely monitor the operation of the accelerator´s power supplies. The system will be expanded to include the monitoring and control of the RF, beam-line, and vacuum systems. Later, diagnostic devices will be interfaced so that beam quality and intensity may be optimized. The operator communicates with the cyclotron via a CRT interactive display and a control console containing reassignable function keys and LED readout devices. The computer is a Modular Computer Systems MCS III/5. Operation data and programs for controlling the cyclotron are stored on disc and magnetic tape libraries.