Distributed computer controls for accelerator systems

TL;DR: A distributed control system has been designed and installed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Multiuser Tandem Facility using an extremely modular approach in hardware and software, making possible highly reproducible and unattended operation.

Abstract: A distributed control system has been designed and installed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Multiuser Tandem Facility using an extremely modular approach in hardware and software. The two tiered, geographically organized design allowed total system implantation within four months with a computer and instrumentation cost of approximately $100k. Since the system structure is modular, application to a variety of facilities is possible. Such a system allows rethinking of operational style of the facilities, making possible highly reproducible and unattended operation. The impact of industry standards, i.e., UNIX, CAMAC, and IEEE-802.3, and the use of a graphics-oriented controls software suite allowed the effective implementation of the system. The definition, design, implementation, operation and total system performance will be discussed.