Parallel Data Analysis in a Multichannel Flash-ADC-System

Parallel analysis of drift chamber signals with M68000 processors has proven to be an efficient way to deal with the tremendous data flow generated by high speed (100 MHz) Flash-ADCs in real time. We report on the experience gained with a network of 34 processors, placed in 3 VME crates, to read out the 3072 Flash-ADC channels of the JADE Jet-Chamber at PETRA [1]. The properties of such a system are compared to more conventional readout schemes for drift chambers.