Abstract
ABSTRACT Two computerized data-acquisition systems have been designed and built at the Lowell Observatory. These systems, which are centered around the PDP-1 1 minicomputer, embody the following design concepts. 1. Software development is a large and continuing task. Everything possible should be done to facilitate this part of the development. 2. A keyboard is used for all manual data entry, which eliminates the need to interface to a large number of switches. 3. A cathode -ray 4ube display is used to achieve good communication between the astronomer and the system. 4. A highly reliable magnetic tape unit (DECTAPE) is used for storage of programs and data, which has increased the ease and speed of program development. 5. The computer has many desirable features, plus enough core (8K) to make programming relatively easy and rapid. 6. The entire system is under the control of a real-time monitor program. 7. All input-output is done in the background by the monitor program, which utilizes the advanced interrupt structure available on this machine. 8. The programming has been made extremely modular to facilitate further program development. The necessary hardware and software have been developed within six months, and the systems are now in use at the telescope. In two programs involving rapid scanning we have realized a six-fold gain in the efficiency of data taking. Further gains are anticipated as more sophisticated programs of data analysis become available at the telescope. Key words: instrumentation - data-aequisition system - computer
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