Use of a Terminal System for Data Acquisition

The application of a mathematically-oriented conversational computing system to data collection and computer control for a specific experiment is described. Relatively simple interfaces are used between the experiment and computer terminal to provide for voltage analog inputs and outputs to the experiment. The terminal is connected to the computer by way of conventional voice-grade telephone lines. It is concluded that this type of data acquisition system is quite useful for experiments in which several-second computer response time can be tolerated, data reduction is necessary and the computer load is insufficient to justify the use of a local computer. An additional facility which provides for the ability to plot data was found to be extremely useful.