Control Modules for Scintillation Counters in the SPS Experimental Areas

The hardware used in the SPS Experimental Areas to control the beam instrumentation electronics and mechanics of the particle detectors is based on CAMAC and NIM modules. The maintenance of this hardware now presents very serious problems. The modules used to operate the Experimental Areas are numerous and older than 20 years so many of them cannot be repaired any more and CAMAC is no longer well supported by industry. The fast evolution of technology and a better understanding of the detectors allow a new equipment-oriented approach, which is more favourable for maintenance purposes and presents fewer data handling problems. VME and IP Modules were selected as standard components to implement the new electronics to control and read out the particle detectors. The first application implemented in this way concerns the instrumentation for the Scintillation Counters (formerly referred to as triggers). The fundamental options and the design features will be presented.