1600 BiRa Systems Smart CAMAC Controller (SCC) List Processor, RS-232, Auxiliary or Main Controller

The BiRa 1600 Smart CAMAC Controller (SCC) List Processor, RS-232, Auxiliary or Main Controller is a single- width module that makes it possible to configure a high speed data acquisition system employing conventional CAMAC digitizing modules. Using the SCC's serial control port, a host computer first down loads the SCC with lists of CAMAC operations to be performed when various trigger signals are received. Upon receipt of a trigger, the SCC executes the appropriate CAMAC operations at the maximum allowed CAMAC dataway speeds. Any data read from CAMAC modules is output through a front panel connector which is normally cabled to a data buffer memory of some sort (RBUFF, model VME1700 VME Buffer memory). The SCC can also perform CAMAC operations under direct control of the host computer; in this case operation requests and read/write data are passed through the serial control port.

The SCC consists of a single-width CAMAC module. Another module called the SCC Level Adapter (SCCLA) provides additional capabilities required by some users. The SCC can perform as a primary crate controller or an auxiliary crate controller. Its output port can be either RS-485 compatible or LeCroy ECLport compatible. If the SCC is used as an auxiliary crate controller (in conjunction with some other CCA2 primary controller (BiRa Model 1302-LM) and its output port is to be RS-485 compatible, then the SCCLA module is not needed. The SCCLA allows the SCC to be a primary crate controller, to output data in ECLport format, or both. More than one SCC can be connected to a single data buffer. In this case, a cable runs through the output ports of a chain of SCCs and carries data into the output data buffer. Each crate is readout in turn until all of the SCCs on the chain have completed their readout.