The use of microprocessors in a neutrino experiment

A description is given of microprocessor applications in a study of nu e elastic scattering. In the experiment, four DEC LSI-11S are interfaced to detectors via programmable scan controllers and to the central DEC 11-34 via separate DMA links. There microprocessors act in parallel to collect and reformat data from neutrino events. They can act independently to orchestrate calibrations. Advantages of using micros include; easier management of a large detector, divided into separate pieces; independent installation or checkout of detector parts (each LSI-11 can run in a stand-alone mode). Continuous calibration is facilitated by the use of distributed intelligence. (0 refs).