SBIR-STTR Award

At present there are many CAMAC modules designed for transient recorder work. While these provide admirable technical qualities, they also present some formidable problems, the biggest of which are their high prices and the amount of crate space they require. The price problem comes into play at speeds above IMHz because these modules use flash converters that are very expensive. The other feature associated with recorders is their memory requirements, which are usually substantial. These modules were designed with 4K and 16K memories, the end result being large, expensive modules. In the last few years commercial interest in computers and digital transmission and display of analog data has expanded tremendously. As a result, many of the integrated circuits that could be used in transient recorders are improving rapidly. In addition, another device that will have a great effect on CAMAC modules in general is the programmable logic array (PLA). It will provide command decoding at a great savings in board space, while offering more sophisticated command structures. Few of these advantages have been used in recorder modules. The use of memory modules with (1) 16 times the capacity, (2) analog to-digital converters (ADCs) at a 10th of the cost and with much lower power levels, and (3) decoding and programming with PLA's all offer enormous possibilities for recorder modules and systems. In previous situations that required recorders, they could not always be justified because of their cost and density. Using these new devices, recorder systems would become a much more practical solution. This study is to evaluate these new devices with regard to their performance and how they could best be used in transient recorder modules, both in CAMAC and FASTBUS. Together with information from users in science and industry, specifications for a series of modules would result.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The specifications generated from this study will provide the information required in Phase II to design and develop working prototypes. These transient recorders would then go into commercial production during Phase III.

___(NOTE: Note: no official Abstract exists of this Phase II projects. Abstract is modified by idi from relevant Phase I data. The specific Phase II work statement and objectives may differ)___ At present there are many CAMAC modules designed for transient recorder work. While these provide admirable technical qualities, they also present some formidable problems, the biggest of which are their high prices and the amount of crate space they require. The price problem comes into play at speeds above IMHz because these modules use flash converters that are very expensive. The other feature associated with recorders is their memory requirements, which are usually substantial. These modules were designed with 4K and 16K memories, the end result being large, expensive modules. In the last few years commercial interest in computers and digital transmission and display of analog data has expanded tremendously. As a result, many of the integrated circuits that could be used in transient recorders are improving rapidly. In addition, another device that will have a great effect on CAMAC modules in general is the programmable logic array (PLA). It will provide command decoding at a great savings in board space, while offering more sophisticated command structures. Few of these advantages have been used in recorder modules. The use of memory modules with (1) 16 times the capacity, (2) analog to-digital converters (ADCs) at a 10th of the cost and with much lower power levels, and (3) decoding and programming with PLA's all offer enormous possibilities for recorder modules and systems. In previous situations that required recorders, they could not always be justified because of their cost and density. Using these new devices, recorder systems would become a much more practical solution. This study is to evaluate these new devices with regard to their performance and how they could best be used in transient recorder modules, both in CAMAC and FASTBUS. Together with information from users in science and industry, specifications for a series of modules would result.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The specifications generated from this study will provide the information required in Phase II to design and develop working prototypes. These transient recorders would then go into commercial production during Phase III.