Functional Distribution an Architecture for Multi-User Computer Networks in Instrumentation

A new approach is introduced for the design of Multi-User Real-Time Computer Networks. The approach leads to a system architecture called "Functional Distribution". Definitions of the concept and key issues of a practical implementation are discussed using as an example a Multi-User Experiment Control System. The discussion also includes the architecture of that hardware which has been traditionally referred to as the "interface between an experiment and a computer".