Abstract :
In order to make effective use of the NRL Isochronous Cyclotron we are designing an efficient multipurpose data collection and data handling facility. The central part of this system is a small general purpose computer with all digital data collection devices (examples are: timers, scalers, frequency meters, and digital voltmeters) feeding directly into the computer, thus eliminating a vast amount of time-consuming and error-causing paper work. The computer will also be used for multi-parameter and single-parameter multichannel analysis with ADC´s feeding the computer memory directly. For rapid display of data, and any desired graphical display, a computer controlled CRT display will be used. A light pen will be used to select and modify information in the computer memory. The standard input-output equipment will consist of a typewriter, paper tape read/punch unit, two magnetic tape units, a graph plotter, and a fast on-line printer. The on-line time will be time shared between the (random) data collection and data processing and/or display. To make such concurrent operations possible a priority interrupt system will be used, with a higher priority system taking over computer control from a lower priority operation.
