The NRL Cyclotron Data Acquisition and Processing System

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.