Standardized Modular Instrumentation System for Space Scientific Instruments

A standardized instrument modular system is being developed for scientific space instrument application. The system is similar in concept to NIM/CAMAC. Programmable analog and digital functional blocks are contained within hybrid "nodes". Up to twelve of these nodes of any desired mix are mounted on standard modules which, in turn, are housed in a modified CAMAC crate. A station control on each module allows access of CAMAC control functions and/or data transfers from the dataway into each node. CAMAC protocol is used in the crate controller and branch driver. A micro-computer controls data handling and spacecraft command and telemetry interfaces.