The CERN n_TOF facility data acquisition system

n_TOF is a pulsed neutron facility at CERN which studies neutron interactions as function of the energy. Neutrons are produced by a pulsed proton beam from the PS directed to a lead target. In a typical experiment, a sample is placed in the neutron beam and the reaction products are recorded. The typical output signals from the n_TOF detectors are characterized by a train of pulses, each one corresponding to a different neutron energy interacting with the sample. The Data Acquisition System (DAQ) has been upgraded in 2014 and is characterized by challenging requirements as more than hundreds of 12 or 14-bit channels at a sampling frequency of 1 GS/s and 1.8 GS/s acquired simultaneously every 1.2 s for up to 100 ms. The amount of data to be managed can reach a peak of several GB/s. This paper describes the hardware's solutions as well as the software's architecture developed to ensure the proper synchronization between all the DAQ machines, the data's integrity, retrieval and analysis. The software modules and tools developed for the monitoring and control of the n_TOF experimental areas and the DAQ operation are also detailed.