Status of FASTBUS in Europe

Representatives from the European high energy physics community have played an active part in the definition of FASTBUS, their efforts being coordinated by the ESONE-ASSG. The specification is now in its concluding stages and work on prototyping is increasing. The design of general purpose FASTBUS hardware, interfaces etc, is progressing; the first FASTBUS system at CERN has become operational in an experiment, tenders are in preparation for crates, power supplies and cooling. The specification of a standard FASTBUS coupler or protocol circuit is nearing completion. A number of FASTBUS applications in experiments are under consideration, both at CERN and other European laboratories.