A CAMAC Interface for TPC Data Acquisition Electronics

An approach to general particle and nuclear physics data acquisition has been implemented using the hardware originally developed for a very large experiment and a special CAMAC interface. Success in achieving desired cost and schedule objectives is obtained by using a proven data acquisition system whose development cost has already been incurred, a CAMAC interface whose development cost is relatively small, and a simple yet flexible software package which allows all types of users to develop their own routines. This approach of writing a software tool which permits users to interact with the system and solve their own problems represents a very efficient use of everyone's time and the experimenter's money. Everyone need not be an expert on everything in order to do useful work with the system. By using the system block diagram with mnemonics and the software tool, the knowledge base required of each group is more in line with that group's intended function. Maintenance personnel can concern themselves with system hardware functionality, experimenters can concern themselves with optimizing the set up of system variables for specific experiments, and programmers can occupy themselves writing those few special programs which are needed for the long term.