Fast PC & CAMAC based multi-parametric acquisition system

We describe a small multi-parametric acquisition system based on KmaxNT software for a Windows NT computer operating-system. The system will be used for very precise measurements and, thus, our main goal was to reduce the system dead-time to a minimum. As presented, the acquisition system introduces essentially no extra dead-time relative to that corresponding to the digital converters. It also includes converters with a wide range of conversion times (e.g. the EG&G Ortec ADC, model AD413A and the LeCroy QDC, model 4300B). The events are buffered in two FERA/CAMAC dual-port memories (LeCroy, model 4302). The system uses a FERA bus for the readout of the converters and a CAMAC bus for the buffered readout of the events.