The Bell-Rutgers Data Highway System

The Bell-Rutgers data highway system is a modular, general purpose system designed to provide a framework in which the configuration and reconfiguration of on-line computer hardware is easily accomplished. It is built using modified NIM hardware, and features a 16 bit parallel data path for input and output which is shared by up to 150 general purpose modules. Special consideration has been given to two particular problems; the operation of modules in an environment in which digital switching noise must be minimized, and the simultaneous use of the module system by several independent users. The initial application of the system has been in the implementation of a computer based nuclear physics data acquisition and analysis system. The following paper is intended as an exposition of some of the considerations which are relevant to the design of any general purpose modular system as well as a description of a particular system. Some of the ways in which the system has been used are also described.