The control consoles for the CERN 400 GeV proton synchrotron

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) provides research facilities for investigation into the physics of high energy particles for physicists from 11 European member states and visitors from several continents. To this end it constructs and operates large accelerators, and of these is a 400 GeV proton synchrotron, which is built in a circular tunnel cut into the bedrock, the majority of the equipment being housed in a number of buildings scattered over the surface of the site. Data are gathered in local units, multiplexed into a CAMAC interface, collected into local computers, and sent down high-speed data links to the control centre. Data-collection rates vary from leisurely status changes to megahertz transfer rates on the data links. All links are connected to a message-transfer system in the control centre, as are connections from various central computers giving library, graphics and alarm facilities. The three computers driving the three control consoles are similarly attached to the message transfer system. (3 refs).