Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System

[email protected] (Ric Claus) · Wed, 23 Nov 1994 12:42:11 -0800 (PST)

In the RF subsystem of the PEP-II B-factory we have a number (a few hundred)
of signals that need to be monitored at about 1 Hz.  Some items will be read
(thermocouples, etc.) while others will be read and written (stepper motor 
controllers).  We are considering three options: 1) a seperate VME crate with
the slow I/O stuff in it (probably expensive), 2) CAMAC, using existing SLAC
hardware (really digusting to work with and needs a VXI branch driver), and 3)
Allen Bradley.  We've had the AB guys by a couple of times and they propose
various architectures based on PLC-5s and SLC-5s.  Channel density isn't exactly
as good as we would like.  For example, I think the AB thermocouple card has 4
channels on it.  Since we need about 50 channels per station, that's a lot of
cards.

Whatever solution is chosen must be workable or made to be workable with EPICS.
How have people solved this problem at other sites (APS, CEBAF, etc.)?  What 
are the favored thermocouple and stepper motor modules?  Our group is leaning 
toward the AB solution.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  I'd appreciate 
some dicussion.

	Thanks,
		Ric

PS - I'm new to the EPICS mailing lists.  If this is inappropriately addressed
or dicussed at length elsewhere, please instruct and redirect me.  Thanks.

Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System

Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System