Abstract: An Apple II/FIRST system has been developed to control classical conditioning experiments, collect analog data, and to extract dependent variable measures of conditioning. With our selection of the Apple II microprocessor and an added hardware floating-point processor, we have been able to establish independent computer systems for each of our three conditioning laboratories at a fraction of the cost of our DEC PDP-8/e (which was interfaced to only one of our laboratories). Moreover, our software system, FIRST, an interactive, high-level, dictionary-based language, is a programming and control system whose flexibility and ease of programming far exceeds that experienced with our DEC PDP-8/e system (Millenson, Kehoe, Tait, a Gormezano, 1973; Tait & Gormezano, 1974). In our judgment, the Apple II/FIRST system is of unprecedented efficiency and versatility for the control, data acquisition, and data analysis of analog responses in classical conditioning experiments.

Abstract: A system for obtaining real-time optical path difference maps is described. Results of applications to characterize thermally driven optical phenomena and active optical components are presented. Demonstrated performance parameters include a serial data acquisition rate of 50-microsec/point, spatial resolution to 500 points/line, and phase accuracy of lambda/70.

Abstract: From a plurality of parallel channels of communication, each including a voltage-to-frequency (V/F) converter, a central clock synchronously timed for each channel, the derivation of a train of pulses having a number of pulses representative of the magnitude of an analog signal inputted to the V/F converter. The central clock also times the multiplexing at the measuring point of either the analog input signal or a bias voltage for calibration or a voltage reference for scaling. The central processor receives the counts from each train of pulses, combines them and threats them to provide a corrected count in each channel separately. Clocking and pulsing are effected through an isolation transformer associated with each channel, to and from the central processor.

Abstract: The analysis of transient phenomena originating from relaxation processes is a tool for material and device characterization. The time constants of the transients provide information about the energy levels involved, and the transient amplitude is coupled to the density of occupied states. A convenient method for the analysis of exponential transients is the use of correlation‐spectroscopic techniques. An example is deep level transient spectroscopy, a capacitance method for the study of deep impurities in semiconductors. The correlation with a weighting function is in this case conventionally made by hardwired instruments. We demonstrate here how shortcomings of this method can be avoided and higher flexibility can be achieved by separating the signal processing from the data acquisition. The hardware is a high‐resolution capacitance measurement system with a resolution of 0.002 pF in capacitance and 5 μs in time. As a result of the measurement, which is considerably faster than analog methods, a data array describes the response of the sample with regard to time and temperature. Several signal processing routines are applied to the data to filter out specific information.

Abstract: The photometry of two‐dimensional electrophoretograms is described in some detail. This method has a high sensitivity of 5·10−4 O.D., because it takes advantage of the noise characteristics of photometric signals. Digital image analysis is used to locate and evaluate the individual spots on the electrophoretogram. The presented procedure of segmentation detects the faintest protein spots visible by eye and separates even confluent spots reliably and automatically. The combination of scanning photometry and image analysis is a sensitive, versatile, and accurate method for the evaluation of slab gels.

Abstract: A data communications terminal is provided for interfacing with a central data processing system to handle a variety of data acquisition and control functions including the minitoring and control of security devices and pay television receivers. The terminal includes a microcomputer unit for receiving and processing data from the central processing system and from remote units which generate data signals in response to abnormal conditions. A data reception and transmission unit include a radio frequency modem for converting data to and from a frequency modulated format and a data converter for changing the serial bit data to parallel word data. An identification unit provides data to the microcomputer regarding the identification of the terminal which can be compared to the address portion of the incoming data from the central processing system. Data generating means are provided for generating and transmitting response data to the microcomputer for transmission to the central processing system. An address decode unit identifies and actuates the various element in this system. The remote data terminal functions in an "interrupt" mode with relation to the central data system so that it communicates with the central data system only when abnormal conditions are detected. Otherwise, the terminal handles its own internal monitoring and control functions. Transmission of data to and from thetermi- nal is preferably along coaxial cable. When used in conjunction with a television receiver, the same coaxial cable may be used for the transmission of television signals to the receiver. In this mode, the terminal includes a television port unitwhich is activated by the microcomputer to enable access by the receiver to the cable television in response to appropriate authorization data from the microcomputer.

Abstract: Innovative features of the anemometer include: (1) a rapid and efficient data acquisition process, (2) a detailed real-time graphic display of the data being accumulated, and (3) input laser beam positioning that maximizes the size of the intra-rotor region being mapped. Results demonstrate the anemometer's capability in flow mapping within a transonic axial-flow compressor rotor. The use of fluorescent seed particles allows flow measurements near the rotor hub and the casing window.

Abstract: The imaging system for the Donner 280-Crystal Positron Tomograph is described. The architecture of the hardwired data acquisition system (histogrammer) allows a data rate in excess of two million events/second while simultaneously correcting for accidental events. The histogrammer has eight memory cards to allow separate accumulation of time-slices of the cardiac cycle, or multiple-buffering for rapid sequential studies. Transfer time from the double-bussed histogrammer to a disk of the host computer system is less than one second. A hardwired device is able to reconstruct a 256×256 image from 140 angles in less than three seconds, but since calibration and correction for attenuation are presently performed in software, this time is increased to about 10 seconds. Images are displayed on a 256×256 raster scan display system with image manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A device for transmitting seismic data informations from acquisition devices of a seismic streamer to a central recorder an a ship, comprises at least two outward, and at least tow inward transmission lines made up of line sections interconnected by interconnection systems including means for the reconfiguration of signals, means for detecting order signals receives at said interconnection systems and switching means, and controlled by the detection means to connect different line sections, previously tested, and to by-pass faulty sections so as to form one outward and one inward continuous transmission line in good operating condition.

Abstract: A microprocessor based data acquisition computing system has been developed to examine dynamic changes in light diffraction patterns from single skeletal muscle fibers. A significant improvement in digital data acquisition rate compared to previous designs has been achieved by utilizing a fast dedicated analog to digital converter and direct memory access data storage. Diffraction patterns from muscle fibers are imaged onto a 256 element charge‐coupled device. The analog output of a full 256 point frame of data may be digitized and stored in 2.2 ms (128 point half frame in 1.1 ms) with a spatial resolution of up to 5.0 nm/sarcomere. This computing system can transfer up to 28 full frames of data as one continuous block directly between the CCD and memory leaving the CPU free for experimental control and closed‐loop processing. The computing system calibrates and analyzes diffraction data under sofware control for sarcomere length, dispersion, and peak intensity. The operation of this data acquisition comp...

Abstract: A data acquisition and control system based upon the Rockwell AIM‐65 microcomputer is described. The system has been designed primarily to enhance laser‐induced fluorescence spectra by linearly averaging multiple scans. Results illustrate that the power and flexibility of the low cost system are comparable to more costly averaging instrumentation.

Abstract: A logic state analyzer stores into a data acquisition memory only state data meeting preselected qualification state criteria chosen to weed out state data not of interest among the totality of states occuring within a collection of digital signals. The data acquisition memory retains only the last m-many states stored therein. A selectable integer k, o≦k≦m, determines how many additional storage operations are performed for qualified state data following the detection of a preselected trigger condition. The actual number of states occurring in the collection of digital signals after the trigger condition but before the storage of the kth qualified data state can be many times the value of k. Qualifying the state data prior to storage allows a modest size data acquisition memory to do the work of a much larger memory and spares the user the task of sorting through much state data known not to be of interest. The preselected qualification criteria may include don't-cares in the definition of the qualification state, as well as the logical OR'ing of a plurality of such qualification states.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment of the invention described herein, a well logging system for investigating subsurface formations is controlled by a general purpose computer programmed for real-time operation. The system is cooperatively arranged to provide for all aspects of a well logging operation, such as data acquisition and processing, tool control, information or data storage, and data presentation as a well logging tool is moved through a wellbore. The computer controlling the system is programmed to provide for data acquisition and tool control commands in direct response to asynchronous real-time external events. Such real-time external events may occur, for example, as a result of movement of the logging tool over a selected depth interval, or in response to requests or commands directed to the system by the well logging engineer by means of keyboard input.

Abstract: COMPUTER software has been developed for a microprocessor-based data acquisition and control system to measure 64 transducers and to maintain closed loop environmental control for three sunlit Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Research (SPAR) units at Florence, SC. An assembly language program and a BASIC program were written to run concurrently by using a real-time inter-rupt. The assembly language program performs the data acquisition, real-time control, and time keeping. The BASIC program performs the dynamic signal condition-ing, the computation of control parameters, and the con-version and output of the acquired data in engineering units. Environmental control algorithms were im-plemented in software to control temperature, C02 con-centration, and relative humidity. The BASIC program utilizes the history of the absolute deviation from the control levels to compute the control parameters for the assembly language program to implement. The temperature control algorithm enabled control within ± 0.5 °C for control temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 35 °C with ambient temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 32 °C. A proportional control algorithm written in BASIC enabled C02 control for three SPAR units within ± 10 mg/L under changing radiation load with full canopy closure using one infrared gas analyzer. A C02 control algorithm using light response curves is derived to pro-ject C02 uptake and absolute deviations from the control level to correct the coefficients of light response curves. Dynamic environmental control of the SPAR units, which involves process feedback influenced by random climatic variations, can be obtained using an inexpensive microprocessor-based system. This enables researchers to conduct precise experiments involving climatic variables to provide the necessary inputs for crop simula-tion modeling.

Abstract: A high repetition, mobile laser radar system with a computerized real-time data acquisition and display system is described. Signal-to-noise levels of the system are compared with theoretical values, and it is found that they are affected by the shot noise in the system. An example of a stack plume observation is also presented to show the performance of the system.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based data acquisition and stabilization system is presented for piezoelectrically scanned plane-parallel Fabry-Perot interferometers which typically required some form of active stabilization system for long-term operation. The microcomputer takes the place of the programable ramp generator, multichannel analyzer, and stabilizer. The control algorithm developed here is workable against strong fluctuations of reference peak. Brillouin scattering spectrum from fused quartz is included to demonstrate the operation of the system.

Abstract: This paper presents a theoretical analysis supported by practical measurements of a digital self-bit synchronizer and detector. This synchronizer is based on the generation of spectral line components by nonlinear filtering of the received bit stream, and extracting the line by a digital phase-locked loop (PLL). Data detection is realized by a digital matched filter (DMF). The interesting features of this realization are the short acquisition time and the all-digital structure.

Abstract: PETT VI is a circular ring, multislice positron emission tomograph designed for small field studies. Features such as wobble and rotate motions, bimodal resolution, cesium flouride scintillators, fast timing circuits and dual buffer histogram memories allow a flexible data acquisition environment. Efficient modularized software concepts are implemented to facilitate concurrent tasks of data acquisition, processing and display. The ability to effectively manage high count rate situations and collect continuous time frames makes PETT VI ideally suited for dynamic studies.

Abstract: A consideration of data acquisition from mass spectrometers covers the description of the system as dedicated or resource-sharing, the specification of an analogue-to-digital conversion (ADC) system (dynamic range and sampling rate) and alternative discontinuously sampling ADC systems. Peak recognition routines must be able to distinguish a number of peak types from the train of incoming digital data. Full control of the mass spectrometer can be effected by operation in the stepping mode. Time-to-mass conversion procedures must be particularly closely defined when accurate mass data is required. Procedures for data reduction and data clean-up are particularly important in the processing of repetitive scan data acquired during the analysis of complex mixtures. A number of data-system-based procedures are available for the final interpretation of mass spectral data-library search, pattern recognition and interpretation of fragmentation. The calculation of elemental compositions from accurate mass data and the calculation of quantitative data are also considered.

Abstract: FASTBUS is an emerging standard for a high-speed data acquisition bus designed to meet the requirements of the next generation of large-scale physics experiments. It incorporates several powerful features: a 32-bit address field; high speed (< 100 nsec) 32-bit data transfers; multiple bus segments permitting a high degree of independent and parallel activity; permits multiple controllers on a single segment; a protocol (uniform system-wide) with asynchronous handshaked operations to reliably accommodate different speed devices, but which also allows synchronous nonhandshaked operations for transferring blocks at maximum speed; the ability to broadcast commands from any point in the system to the whole system or to selected portions of it; and the ability to rapidly extract data from large, sparsely populated arrays. The paper describes these features in more detail and briefly reviews the present state of development of the standard.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment of the invention described herein, a well logging system for investigating subsurface formations is controlled by a general purpose computer programmed for real-time operation. The system is cooperatively arranged to provide for all aspects of a well logging operation, such as data acquisition and processing, tool control, information or data storage, and data presentation as a well logging tool is moved through a wellbore. The computer controlling the system is programmed to provide for data acquisition and tool control commands in direct response to asynchronous real-time external events. Such real-time external events may occur, for example, as a result of movement of the logging tool over a selected depth interval, or in response to requests or commands directed to the system by the well logging engineer by means of keyboard input.

Abstract: The first two steps in the evaluation of the performance of the first dedicated oceanographic satellite have been completed. The engineering assessment and sensor evaluation activities have thoroughly examined the performance of the instrument, and the first level of data processing algorithms, with encouraging results.