Automating communications with and developing user interfaces for remote data acquisition and analysis systems

Many remote sensor applications require the deployment of automated data acquisition systems. These systems must provide a reliable and robust method of transferring acquired data to an appropriate data center. Remote users also require a means to verify the state-of-health of the sensors and a method of installing improved control software as needed. Research at PNNL on automated radionuclide systems for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has developed a robust and automated method of data transmission. User interfaces for these systems allow one to use simple text-based communication protocols (kermit, telnet) or the X Windows environment. The use of TcI/Tk aided in the rapid development of the X windows user interfaces