Distributed Computer Systems for Control

Some findings of a study concerning a computer based control and monitoring system for the proposed ISABELLE Intersecting Storage Accelerator are presented. Requirements for development and implementation of such a system are discussed. An architecture is proposed where the system components are partitioned along functional lines. Implementation of some conceptually significant components is reviewed.

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Computer Networks in Future Accelerator Control Systems

Computer control systems have been in use on operating accelerators for several years. This paper discusses and gives examples of ways in which the capability of the control-system equipment can be used by accelerator engineers and physicists to study beam properties and operating characteristics of accelerator components.

Interaction of Accelerator Controls and Diagnostics

The Laboratcry has well over two miles of beam lines in the Meson, Ne.Gtrino, and Proton experimental areas. The size and complexity of these beam lines as well as the requirements imposed by multiple experimenters led to the development of a computer-controlled multi-console control system. To alleviate many of the problems associated wit:? interfacing various experimenters' equipment to this control system, a well-defined hardware interface was necessary. A CAmC modular instrumentation system1 was employed in all three beam lines prirr,arily because it is an international standard. Each of the beam lines is compster controlled using a number of CAMAC crates located in control areas scattered along each beam line. These control areas are tied together and to the computer 51' a f ast serial communications link. Control consoles consisting of CRTs or teletypes are interfaced to CAMAC crates and may be lccated in any control area. The system software handles up to 12 of these remote consoles, 2 local consoles, and a i.ariety of other tasks simultaneously through a multi-programming technique. Man-machine communication is by means of ccstom CRT displays and a message-oriented command language.

CAMAC Experimental Beam Line Control System

Operational Aspects of a Serial CAMAC Control System

Equipment associated with the accelerator and experimental areas at the National Accelerator Laboratory is distributed throughout some ten miles of beam paths. The computer control system, which utilizes fifteen interconnected computers to control and monitor this equipment, is described. The clock, closed-circuit television, beam abort, and fire and utility monitoring systems are also reviewed.

R. E. Daniels

Papers

The NAL Computer Control System

NAL computer control system

Primet: A Versatile Accelerator Timing System