A Multi-Parameter Distributed Processing Data Acquisition, Display, and on-Line Analysis System

This paper describes a multi-parameter data acquisition, display, and on-line analysis system. The system enables the experimentalist to analyze multi-parameter data during acquisition. The design is an extension of the system described at the IEEE/NSS/SSCS Meeting in October, 1976. Input from eight physical devices, independently or in coincidence, can be acquired and stored in 16 configurations in increment or list mode. During acquisition the data can be analyzed on-line by user-generated microprograms and stored in 16 additional independent configurations. This capability is achieved through the use of a high-speed synchronous bus, distributed processing (seven microcomputers and microprocessors), and overlapping memory cycles. User-oriented programs provide simple access to system resources, microprogram generation and execution, and automatic system set-up and operation.