Summary

CAMAC (Computer Automated Measurement And Control) is a standard electronic interface system. It is much more space, time, and cost efficient than the traditional data acquisition systems. It is therefore used in TRIUMF for data acquisition.

Electronic devices used for CAMAC systems are built in the form of modules, which can be put together with the use of CAMAC crates. A number of crates can be used together with the use of the Fisher crate system.

The modules are controlled by one or more computers, which send out standard CAMAC commands as instructions. There are three special types of modules (executive crate controllers, normal crate controllers, branch couplers) which are reponsible for directing the commands to the correct modules. They are the most important modules in the CAMAC system, because the operation of the system is totally impossible if the CAMAC commands cannot reach their destinations.

One program has been written to test the three special types of modules. Since proton beam time is very expensive, leaving the beam unused due to defective equipment means wasting a great deal of money. The program, which is fast and easy to use, helps diagnose modules quickly, and is therefore of much value. Experimenters, therefore, should consider learning to use it.