A REMUS based crate controller for the autonomous processing of multichannel data streams

This paper describes a device designed to perform the autonomous acquisition of considerable quantities of raw data, process them and present results in an easily digestible format for subsequent analysis. It has been primarily created for read-out of complex three dimensional drift chambers, but is of general interest. The unit is based on a dual processor system consisting of a Signetics 8X300 and a Motorola 68B00. The 8X300 section operates as a fast dedicated Data Processor and flow controller that reads the input modules, processes the data and constructs the output blocklets. The 68B00 supervises the activity of the 8X300 and is responsible for the holding and loading of appropriate routines. It also obtains samples of the final data for statistical purposes and executes periodic calibration and diagnostic functions.