A scalable data acquisition system for CEBAF: architecture and status

A new data acquisition system is under development at CEBAF in support of experiments due to begin in 1994. CODA (CEBAF On-line Data Acquisition) has been designed to run on Unix workstations connected via Ethernet to multiple intelligent front-end crates, VME and FASTBUS, with CAMAC supported through VME. The system is modular and scalable, from a single front-end crate and one workstation with data transferred over Ethernet, up to as many as 32 clusters of front-end crates connected (eventually) via a high-speed network to a farm of analysis workstations. CODA includes a device-independent slow controls package with (currently) drivers for CAMAC, VME, and CAEN high voltage. Experience with early versions is discussed. >