Chapter 4_On-Line Data-Acquisition Systems in Nuclear Physics, 1969

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYSTEM PLANNING

A. THE NEED FOR ON-LINE COMPUTER SYSTEMS

The ultimate justification for assembling and using on-line

data-acquisition systems must be made in terms of research output.

The same considerations underlying judgments on the support of

experimental research in other ways must therefore apply to computer

systems. Some reasons often given for the use of on-line computer

systems are these:

1. Modern experiments produce vast quantities of data which can be

handled efficiently only by automatic calculating machinery. The

experimenter gains greatly in effectiveness when the data are

immediately converted into machine language, reduced by the computer,

and presented to the experimenter in a convenient form.

_Comment_: Undoubtedly true. Fortunately a small system can satisfy

this requirement in many cases.

2. Some experiments "cannot" be done by other means.

_Comment_: More likely true in practice than in principle.

3. Investment in a computer system is sometimes sound because it

leads to a net reduction in the overall cost of performing

experiments, either by eliminating some of the labor cost, by

reducing the consumption of accelerator time, or in some other way.

_Comment_: True in many cases. Making estimates of projected savings

is easier in _ad hoc_ cases than in general.

4. Having facilities immediately accessible for calculating

nuclear-reaction kinematics, magnetic analyzer field strengths, and

other phenomena during the course of experiments saves time and

promotes efficiency.

_Comment_: True, however, much of this work can be done ahead of

time, and much of it requires only a relatively short, simple

calculation which can be executed on a medium-sized computer,

sometimes on a small one.

5. Given a sufficiently large computer system in the laboratory, its

use for complicated data reduction and for theoretical calculations

may produce an important saving of funds which might otherwise have

been spent at the computing center.

_Comment_: This point may sometimes be valid, depending on a number

of conditions, but the installation of a large computer as part of

the data-acquisition system essentially on the basis of this argument

is questionable, in view of the excellent facilities offered by

modern computing centers.

6. Some expense for the _development_ of computer systems and

computer systems methods is justifiable as an investment in

methodology.

_Comment_: True, although there is some question about the choice of

places where such work should be done and about the correct source of

funds to support it.

B. WHERE SHOULD LARGE-SCALE CALCULATIONS BE DONE?

At the very outset of planning one should examine very closely the

question of the large-scale calculating required in the overall

execution of the research program of the laboratory; then, if, as

usual, it turns out that a substantial amount of complex calculating

is anticipated, one should consider carefully the feasibility of

planning to do that part of the work at the most readily accessible

computer center in the vicinity, so as to be able to concentrate

one's own energies and resources, especially capital investment, on

the data-acquisition system. The use of a modern computer center

offers enormous advantages, and most computing centers would welcome

support. If this course of action is chosen, provisions must be

planned from the start for computer-language communication between

the computer center and the nuclear research laboratory via a medium

such as magnetic tape. (Direct wire transmission will often not prove

feasible.)

Some key questions are:

1. How much large-scale computing is anticipated?

2. How much waiting time for results is tolerable?

3. Can the local computing center handle the needs, and at what cost?

4. If the local computing center can handle all the needs, but only

after acquiring certain additional support for equipment or manpower,

might not the better course of action be to provide that support

rather than to set up separate facilities?

5. Can setting up a large system truly be justified? Have all the

extra costs and complexities of the large system been taken into

account, including those associated with input and output devices,

operation, maintenance, programming, management, and space?

C. EXERCISING ECONOMIC JUDGMENT IN PLANNING

Since the ultimate criterion is research output, the role assigned to

a computer system must depend on the nature of the work being

planned. In some cases where a very specific use is intended, for

example, in the case of a process-control application such as the

Argonne plate scanner or an accelerator controller, the conditions

are simple enough to make economic judgment relatively easy to apply.

In the case encountered in setting up an accelerator laboratory where

a wide variety of experiments is to be performed, conditions are much

more complex. It is now widely accepted that any such laboratory

should have a computer system, but what is not so clear is how

extensive and expensive it should be. In other words, points 1-4 in B

are accepted, and point 5 is conceded possibly to be applicable.

If sufficient funds are available, one sensible way to proceed is to

use the accumulated collective experience outlined above. For

example, one can say that experience has shown that the total

investment in the computer system will be in reasonable balance with

the capital investment in the bare accelerator if the ratio of costs

is about one to five. Departures from the rule may then be made to

adjust to special circumstances. Following this procedure means

extrapolating from past experience, which may not prove a good guide,

but this approach is similar to that often used in other matters

bearing on the support of research. Probability is involved. It

should be noted that the actual expenditures for on-line equipment

for nuclear research have far exceeded those projected at the

"Grossinger Conference on the Utilization of Multiparameter Analyzers

in Nuclear Physics" in 1962.

In times of economic stringency it may be necessary to take a hard

look at points 3-5 in B above before deciding how large a computer

can be justified. A medium-sized computer is sufficient for most

data-acquisition demands but not for large-scale calculations of a

theoretical nature or for an occasional complicated piece of data

reduction. Often it will be advisable to plan on carrying out all

large calculations at the computing center, in which case a

medium-sized computer will probably suffice for data acquisition, and

a saving of about half in capital investment and operating expenses

can be achieved.

D. ON THE UTILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPUTERS

If economic realities and good judgment should dictate the choice of

a smaller system, the laboratory will still be well off. There is a

tendency not to recognize the full capabilities of modern

medium-sized and small computers, which, given intelligent

programming, are very powerful. Although programming is in general

expensive, the return for a modest amount of it in terms of

data-acquisition performance may be very impressive. For example, the

use of tables calculated ahead of time, stored on magnetic tape at

the computing center, and read into the data-acquisition machine

along with its control program offers a way to bypass the need for

various sorts of calculations which might have been done on-line on a

larger system. Increased efficiency of data acquisition often comes

from the use of such methods, reflected in increased data-handling

rates.

E. GROWTH CONSIDERATIONS

The system planner should try to anticipate a possible future

expansion. In the case of a cut-and-dried process-control application

it will often be safe to assume that the system will not have to

grow, but recent history shows that in the case of general-purpose

systems growth is the rule. In fact, systems have sometimes had to be

replaced by entirely new ones. The system planner must beware of

pitfalls. If, in anticipation of a greater future need, a much larger

CPU is ordered than current use demands, the anticipated need may not

develop. Or, if it happens that the money initially available for

capital investment is so limited that it is all exhausted in buying

the CPU, leaving the system badly short of conventional I/O

equipment, then the system will remain painfully unbalanced until

substantial additional funds appear. If those funds do not appear,

the capability of the system will remain far less than the presence

of the large CPU would suggest. (This is what happened at Rochester,

where three years after the system was installed there is still no

card reader, line printer, or conventional magnetic tape drive

system; in fact, there is no computer-language medium for

communication with the University of Rochester Computing Center.)

[Illustration: FIGURE 16 A data-acquisition system based on a

medium-sized computer. Prices are actual costs for equipment supplied

by a well-known manufacturer. This system is powerful enough to

satisfy most data-acquisition needs at a typical low-energy

accelerator laboratory.]

The correct strategy to employ in every case should be consistent

with the size of the laboratory and with the capabilities of its

staff. A laboratory with a small engineering staff and with modest

computing needs for the immediate future should certainly not plan to

set up a large system. Instead it could sensibly begin with a

manufacturer-assembled, trimmed-down version of the Comparison System

(Figure 16), which could be enlarged later as occasion demanded and

funds permitted.

F. SHORT SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS REGARDING SYSTEM PLANNING

1. Planning and Procuring a Data-Acquisition System Today

It is no longer necessary to develop one's own system. Times have

changed greatly. Many systems now exist which work well and are worth

copying. Manufacturers and suppliers are prepared to deliver entire

systems assembled and ready to operate, complete with all the

necessary system software and varying amounts of utility software.

Although it may at first sight seem more economical to assemble a

system within the laboratory, by use of laboratory personnel, in most

cases it is now better to buy the system from a single supplier,

completely installed and operable, saving one's own resources for

matters more directly concerned with research. The costs in time and

effort to develop a new computer system have been much larger than

predicted, in almost every case known to the authors. Large

laboratories having strong engineering staffs are an exception;

outside of industrial plants they are the places where new system

development and assembly makes the most sense.

2. Large-Scale Computations and Computing Centers

In general it is best to plan to do all very large-scale computing

jobs (e.g., shell model and scattering theory calculations) at a

large computing center and to set up in the laboratory a system which

is just large enough to handle comfortably the data-acquisition jobs.

Usually a medium-sized or small system will suffice. However, in some

circumstances this will not be true.

3. Remote Large Computing Center On-Line for Data Acquisition

Direct transmission-line coupling to a large, remote computing center

may prove practical for handling occasional low-priority bursts of

data processing, for example, when one can be satisfied with

guaranteed access within about 100 µsec, say, and a maximum

guaranteed total access duration of no more than a few percent of any

day. Such a hookup may also be valuable for the handling of data

input and output in the remote batch mode of operation, especially

if a card reader (or high-speed paper tape or storage device) and a

line printer are available for this use, in the laboratory. However,

there are few if any examples of successful high-priority

prompt-interrupt operation. One should be extremely skeptical about

the feasibility of relying on this last mode of operation.

4. Buying versus Renting

Rental rates have typically been set so that if the anticipated use

period exceeds about three years, economic prudence suggests

purchasing a computer rather than renting, providing that the

necessary funds for capital investment are available. This can only

be true, of course, because the life expectancy of modern computers

is quite long, certainly over five years. (Also, one hesitates to

trade in an old computer for which an excellent software collection

exists!) The argument against renting standard peripherals is weaker,

because they are electromechanical in nature and therefore have

shorter lifetimes; furthermore, they tend to become outmoded. Renting

can be especially attractive in special circumstances. For example, a

line printer can be rented for the early period of operation of a

system, while extensive program development work is in progress, and

returned later, when the work has been finished.

5. New Computer or Current Model?

Computers are rapidly getting better and cheaper. This month's

machine is much more powerful than last month's, dollar for dollar.

New machines will always be appealing, but the prospective purchaser

must balance their appeal against considerations of probable delivery

date, software availability, completeness of documentation for both

software and hardware, and in general the manufacturer's support

capability. Unfortunately, these factors usually weigh against a new

machine. As a rule, even a medium-sized system based on a new model

machine will not be in full operation for approximately one year

after delivery, unless both the hardware and the software have been

tried and proven in a previous installation. On the other hand, in

the case of an older model the same factors may all be favorable, but

now the machine probably gives less computing per dollar, and the

advantage of an early return on the investment must be weighed

carefully against the likelihood of somewhat earlier obsolescence. At

some time during the life of a computer the manufacturer will very

likely cease to support its software and, usually later, its

hardware.

6. Importance of Software

Software is all-important, and it is very expensive to develop, both

in time and money; hence a system planner should favor a central

processor for which a large amount of software is supplied by the

manufacturer, especially system software. In general, when a

particular type of machine has already been delivered to many

customers the manufacturer may be relied upon to supply the essential

software needed to run a system: an assembler, I/O routines for

standard devices, and usually a Fortran compiler. The larger machines

will be supplied with some sort of operating system (monitor), either

for batch or time-shared operation. However, the specialized software

needed for data acquisition will usually not be available unless it

has already been developed by another user. A laboratory with limited

programming resources should therefore give great weight to obtaining

a system already provided with all essential software and should

direct its own programming efforts to specific data-acquisition

problems. Contracting with an outside company for development of the

specialized software is also possible, although the cost will

probably exceed the salaries of in-house personnel hired to do the

same job, and communication with an outside group is inconvenient.

7. Utility of Modern Small Computers

Many small, powerful computers are now on the market. They are

inexpensive but very reliable. For many data-taking purposes they are

quite sufficient, when equipped with appropriate peripheral devices

and an adequate program library.

8. Utility of Disks and Drums

Magnetic disk and drum bulk storage devices have also undergone much

development recently. Many good, small versions are now on the market

at rather low prices. The capabilities of these units must not be

overlooked. Attaching a modern disk unit to a modern, small or

medium-sized computer produces a powerful but economical combination.

9. Need for Adequate Peripheral Devices

Unless an appropriate set of standard input-output devices is

provided, the computer will not be used efficiently. A balanced

system with a small computer is likely to prove much more useful than

an unbalanced system with a medium-sized computer. What is necessary

will, of course, depend upon the uses of the system. For example, if

a large amount of program development is anticipated, the inclusion

of a line printer should certainly be considered, because universal

experience has shown that line printers are immensely valuable during

program development; on the other hand, as a rule they are not so

important in most data-taking operations.

10. Peripherals (Brand X)

It is often cheaper initially to use peripheral devices from a

separate manufacturer, with interfacing provided either by the user

or by an outside commercial firm. In this case difficulties lie in

guessing the reliability of the devices and in achieving software

compatibility. Software developed by a computer manufacturer usually

takes advantage of the peculiarities of his own peripherals. If an

outside device is purchased, the additional cost for programming

during the lifetime of the system should be considered. If competent

engineering effort is available, an interface compatible with the

computer manufacturer's software may be built, with a possible saving

in programming cost.

11. Input-Output Bus Structures

Standardized input-output bus structures designed to simplify

interfacing to computers have recently been developed. Conspicuous

among them is the CAMAC system already accepted as standard in many

European laboratories. It is now being introduced into a few American

laboratories. Before it can be accepted as a standard system here, a

number of questions must be answered. For example, what types of

external devices should be interfaced in this way, just ADC's data

registers, counters, and the like, or should line printers, card

readers, and related devices be included? Also, how much trouble will

be encountered with manufacturers' I/O software, and how much will

any necessary rewriting cost? Also will all computer I/O structures

lend themselves to such a system; specifically, are multiport systems

suitable? A national committee is now studying the CAMAC system to

see if it, or something similar, should be recommended as standard in

the United States. Even after being recommended as standard, however,

any such system cannot be considered successful unless manufacturers

accept it and market a wide variety of compatible devices. From the

manufacturer's point of view the risks here may seem considerably

greater than they were in the case of the NIM bins. It seems wise to

keep watching for the outcome of this interesting development.

12. Necessity for Competence in Machine-Language Programming

Whenever a new type of device is interfaced to a system, some form of

machine-language programming must almost always be done in order to

permit the handling of input-output operations involving the new

device. This is true even in places such as Yale, where the design

emphasizes a maximum use of Fortran. For this and other reasons,

there should be at least one person on call who is skilled in

machine-language programming and who understands the system.

13. Manpower for Programming and Maintenance

The manpower required to maintain the hardware and software of any

system naturally depends on the size of the installation and the

uses to which it is put. Typically, a continuing effort must be

expended on the improvement of system software and the writing of

new data-acquisition programs. The existing hardware must be given

preventive maintenance and repairs. Furthermore from time to time

a hardware change must be made. Also, there are administrative

matters; even the smallest system should have within the laboratory

at least one person who will devote a large part of his time to

administration, to the education of users, and to related matters.

In many cases the laboratory has a contract with an outside firm,

often the computer manufacturer, for maintenance of the computer,

and sometimes the rest of the system as well. In other cases all

or part of this work is done by laboratory personnel. Sometimes

several laboratory people are competent both in machine-language

programming and in diagnosing and repairing hardware ills. Such

people are very valuable, especially if they are also competent to do

interfacing of new devices. In some cases the experimenters do much

of their own data-acquisition programming, in others essentially all

programming is done by professionals. In some university laboratories

much use is made of part-time student programmers, of whom there

is now a considerable supply because of the growth of education in

programming, both in high schools and at colleges. Students are

sometimes remarkably good at this work and stand to profit later

from the experience, but they are transients, and effort expended

in training them is lost when they leave. Very roughly speaking,

a small system will require a good fraction of the time of a

technician-programmer, a medium system will require at least one

full-time technician-programmer, and a full-time programmer, or some

equivalent combination, assuming an active research program.

Appendix A

TABLES OF PROPERTIES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPUTERS

The comprehensive tables of properties of small and medium-sized

computers appearing on the next 6 pages are from D. J. Theis and L.

C. Hobbs, "Mini-Computers for Real-Time Applications," _Datamation_,

Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 39 (March 1969) and are reprinted here by

permission of the publisher, F. D. Thompson Publications, Inc., 35

Mason Street, Greenwich, Conn. 06830.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Digital Digital Data Mate Decade Electronic

Equipment Equipment Computer Control Data Data Computer Computer Assoc.

Corp. Corp. Automation Corporation General Systems, Inc. Corp. Inc. EMR Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard Honeywell

MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER PDP-9 PDP-9/L PDC-816 1700 Nova Data Mate-16 70/2 640 6130 2114A 2115A 2116B DDP-416

MEMORY

Memory cycle time (µs) 1.0 1.5 8 1.1 2.6 1.0 .860 1.65 0.775 2.0 2.0 1.6 0.96

Memory word length (bits) 18 18 16 18 16 16 18 16 18 16 16 16 16

Minimum memory size (words) 8K 4K 4K 4K 1K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 4K 8K 4K

Memory increment size (words) 8K 4K 4K 4K 1K, 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 4K 8K 4K

Maximum memory size (words) 32K 16K 16K 32K 32K 32K 16K 32K 32K 8K 8K 32K 16K

Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. no opt. std. no std. opt. opt. opt. opt.

Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. no std. std. std. std. no opt. opt. opt.

CPU FEATURES

Instruction word length (s) 18 18 16 16/32 16 16 16/32 16/32 16/32 16 16 16 16/32

Number of accumulators (or 1 std. 1 std. 1 2 4 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1

general purpose registers that 1 opt. 1 opt.

can be used as accumulators)

Number of hardware registers 1 std. 1 std. 6 8 10 6 5 9 4 7 7 7 4

(not including index registers) 1 opt. 1 opt.

Number of index registers 7 (auto. 7 (auto. 1 hardware 1 hardware 2 hardware 1 hardware 1 memory 1 hardware 3 hardware none none none none

(indicate whether they are index mem. index mem. 1 memory 16 memory

hardware, memory or other reg.) reg.)

techniques)

How many bits for operation code 4 4 5 4 5 5 6 4 5 4 4 4 6

How many bits for address modes 1 1 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1

Number of addressing modes 2 2 8 7 8 8 5 3-8 7 4 4 4 2

How many bits for address 13 13 8 8/15 8 8 7/14 9/15 8/15 10 10 10 9/14

In this machine one can directly

address _________ words in 8,192 4,096 768 256 1,024 256 16,384 512 32,768 2,048 2.048 2,048 1,024

_________ µs and indirectly 2.0 3.0 16.0 1.1 5.2 2.0 1.9 1.65 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.6 0.96

address _________ words in 32K 16K 16K 32K 32K 32K 16K 32K 32K 8K 8K 32K 16K

_________ µs 3.0 4.5 24.0 3.3 7.8 3.0 1.9 3.3 2.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92

Indirect addressing Single- Single- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Single- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi-

(multi-level, single-level, no) level level level level level level level level level level level level level

ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS

Store time for full word (µs) 2.0 3.0 16.0 2.2 5.5 2.0 1.9 3.3 1.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92

Add time for full word (µs) 2.0 3.0 16.0 2.2 5.9 2.0 1.9 3.3 1.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92

Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. no std. no std. opt. std. std. no opt. opt. no

(std., opt., no)

Multiply time hardware (µs) 3.0 to 11.0 4.5 to 16.5 -- 7 -- 6.0 6.5 18.15 4.5 to 8.3 24.0 19.2

Divide time hardware (µs) 3.0 to 12.0 4.5 to 18.0 -- 9 -- 7.0 12.5 18.975 7.9 to 11.4 26.0 20.8

Multiply time software (µs) 281 max. 421 max. 102 -- 329.3 to 334.1 N/A 187 187 150 154.6

Divide time software (µs) 352 max. 528 max. 178 -- 424.8 to 519.2 N/A 387 387 310 220.8

I/O CAPABILITY

Data path width (bits) 18 18 8/16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

Direct memory access (DMA) std. no std. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. std. no opt. opt. opt.

channel (std., opt., no)

Maximum DMA word transfer rate 1 MHZ -- 125 KHZ 900 KHZ 312 KHZ 1 MHZ 1.1 MHZ 600 KHZ 1.26 MHZ -- 500 KHZ 625 KHZ 1 MHZ

Number of external priority 1 1 3 16 16 8 1 7 none 8 8 16 2

interrupt levels provided

in basic system

Maximum number of external 256 256 256 16 62 64 32 64 126 56 40 48 48

interrupts

Response time (µs) including 4.0 6.0 48.0 50.0 38.6 5.0 8.0 5.8 13.2 10.0 10.0 8.0 4.8

time to save registers of

interrupted program and

initiate new program execution

OTHER FEATURES

Power failure protect opt. opt. opt. std. std. std. opt. std. std. opt. opt. std. std.

(std., opt., no)

Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

failure (std., opt., no)

Real-time clock or internal timer std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

(std., opt., no)

SOFTWARE

Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 1 pass 2 pass both 2 pass 2 2 pass 2 pass both

Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no

Minimum core size necessary to use 8K 4K 4K 4K -- 4K 4K 8K 8K 4K 4K 4K --

this relocatable assembler

Macro assembler capability yes yes no yes no yes no no yes no no no no

Compilers available (specify Fortran Fortran none ASA Basic none none Fortran Fortran ASA Basic Algol, ASA Algol, ASA Algol, ASA none

explicitly, e.g., Fortran II, IV IV Fortran IV IV Fortran Basic Fortran Basic Fortran Basic Fortran

IV, ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran IV

Conversational compilers (e.g., FOCAL none none none none none CHAT DOI none BASIC BASIC BASIC none

FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.)

Real-time executive monitor yes yes no yes no no no no yes no no yes no

available (yes, no)

Disc operating system available yes yes no yes no no no yes yes no yes yes yes

(yes, no)

BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS

Basic system price with 4K words N/A $19,000 $11,900 $29,000 $ 7,600 $13,900 $12,800 $26,500 N/A $ 9,950 $14,500 N/A $15,700

including power supplies

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not -- $ 900 $ 1,900 $ 6,000 $ 1,400 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 -- $ 2,000 $ 2,000 -- $ 1,200

already included in Basic System (ASR-35)

Price)

Total system price, including -- $19,900 $13,800 $35,000 $ 9,000 $15,900 $14,000 $27,700 -- $11,950 $16,500 -- $16,900

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35)

Basic system price with 8K words $35,000 $25,000 $17,900 $37,000 $10,885 $20,400 $18,600 $35,500 $46,000 $13,950 $19,500 $24,000 $23,700

including adequate power supplies,

enclosure, control panel

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 900 $ 1,900 $ 6,000 $ 1,400 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 3,100 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 1,200

already included in Basic System (ASR-35)

Price)

Total system price including $35,000 $25,900 $19,800 $43,000 $12,285 $22,400 $19,800 $36,700 $49,100 $15,950 $21,500 $26,000 $24,900

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35)

PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE

Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Approximate price for $22,000 $22,000 $ 5,700 $22,500 $12,000 $19,500 $12,000 $30,000 $35,200 $12,500 $15,500 $15,500 $23,355

operational unit (including to to to to to to to to to

controller, computer options $23,000 $23,000 $10,000 $32,000 $67,200 $15,000 $21,500 $21,500 $35,430

necessary, etc.)

Mass storage device available yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Approximate price of operational $ 9,750 $ 9,750 $ 6,500 $27,500 $ 6,500 $18,000 $15,000 $24,500 $20,200 -- $26,500 $26,500 $22,300

unit (including controller, to to to to to to to

computer options necessary, etc.) $ 9,950 $ 9,250 $45,000 $54,700 $31,500 $31,500 $36,000

High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 350 300/150 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300

Included Combination $ 2,200 $ 4,500 $2,650/$2,150 $ 2,000 $ 2,500 Combination Combination $ 2,100 $ 2,100 $ 2,100 $ 3,800

Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,800 $ 8,400 $10,100

High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 50 50 60 120 63.3 120 120 120 60 120 120 120 110

Included Combination $ 3,300 $ 5,100 $ 2,200 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Combination Combination $ 4,100 $ 4,100 $ 4,100 $ 4,500

Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,800 $ 8,400 $10,100

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

Information Scientific Scientific Systems Systems

Technology, Inc. Lockheed Control Data Engineering Engineering

Honeywell ITI-4900 Interdata Interdata IBM IBM Electronics Raytheon Raytheon Corp. Systems Laboratories Laboratories

MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER DDP-516 (Model 20) Model 3 Model 4 1130 1800 MAC-16 703 706 4700 Sigma 2 810A 810B

MEMORY

Memory cycle time (µs) 0.96 0.975/1.75 .980/1.5 .980/1.5 2.2/3.6 2/4 1 1.75 0.9 .920 .9 1.75 .750

Memory word length (bits) 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16

Minimum memory size (words) 4K 4K 2K 2K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 8K

Memory increment size (words) 4K 4K 2K, 4K 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K

Maximum memory size (words) 32K 32K 32K 32K 32K 32K 65K 32K 32K 65K 65K 32K 32K

Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. no opt. opt. std. opt. std.

Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. no std. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

CPU FEATURES

Instruction word length(s) 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16 16 16 16/32 16 16 16

Number of accumulators (or 2 8 16 16 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 2

general purpose registers that

can be used as accumulators)

Number of hardware registers 5 16 18 33 7 7 6 6 6 10 6 2 2

(not including index registers)

Number of index registers 1 6 15 15 3 3 4 1 1 1 2 1 2

(indicate whether they are hardware hardware memory hardware memory hardware hardware hardware hardware hardware hardware

hardware, memory or other

techniques)

How many bits for operation code 5 8 8 8 5 5 4 4 4 4/9 4 4 4

How many bits for address modes 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 3 4 2 2

Number of addressing modes 4 4 3 3 3 3 8 2 2 5 16 4 4

How many bits for address 9/14 6/16 6/16 6/16 9/16 9/16 9 11 11 9/16 8 10 10

In this machine one can directly

address _________ words in 1,024 32,768 32,768 32,768 32,768 32,768 512 32,768 32,768 32,768 1,024 1,024 1,024

_________ µs and indirectly 0.96 .975/1.75 0.98/1.5 0.98/1.5 2.2 2.0 2.0 3.5 1.8 .92 .9 1.75 .750

address ________ words in 32K 32K -- -- 32K 32K 65K -- -- 65K 65K 32K 32K

_________ µs 1.92 1.95/3.5 -- -- 2.2 2.0 3.0 -- -- 1.84 1.8 3.5 1.5

Indirect addressing Multi- Multi-level no no Single- Single- Multi-level no no Single- Single- Multi-level Multi-level

(multi-level, single-level, no) level level level level level

ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS

Store time for full word (µs) 1.92 1.95/3.5 6.0 6.0 4.64 4.25 2.0 3.5 1.8 1.84 2.2 3.5 1.50

Add time for full word (µs) 1.92 1.95/3.5 3.2 3.2 4.88 4.25 2.0 3.5 1.8 1.84 2.2 3.5 1.50

Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std.

(std., opt., no)

Multiply time--hardware (µs) 5.28 10 23 23 15.67 15.25 9 12.25-17.5 6.3 to 9.0 6.44 10.3 7 4.5

Divide time--hardware (µs) 10.00 25 38 38 46.36 42.75 12 24.0 9.0 6.90 10.8 10.5 8.25

Multiply time--software (µs) 154.6 50 900 900 -- -- 150 147 75 -- 103 -- --

Divide time--software (µs) 220.8 100 1,020 1,020 -- -- 300 299.25 154 -- 297 -- --

I/O CAPABILITY

Data path width (bits) 16 16 8 8 16 16 16 16 16 8/16 8 16 16

Direct memory access (DMA) opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. opt.

channel (std., opt., no)

Maximum DMA word transfer rate 1 MHZ 1 MHZ 450 KHZ 450 KHZ 460 KHZ 500 KHZ 800 KHZ 571 KHZ 1.1 MHZ 1.1 MHZ 200 KHZ 572 KHZ 1.33 MHZ

Number of external priority 2 8 2 2 6 12 4 1 1 2 2 3 3

interrupt levels provided

in basic system

Maximum number of external 48 256 255 255 96 384 64 16 16 256 132 96 96

interrupts

Response time (µs) including 9.6 5.0 9.0-16.0 9.0-16.0 100.0 100.0 6.0 5.25 2.7 7.36 6.0 10.5 6.75

time to save registers of

interrupted program and

initiate new program execution

OTHER FEATURES

Power failure protect std. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. std. std.

(std., opt., no)

Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt.

failure (std., opt., no)

Real time clock or internal timer opt. opt. opt. opt. no std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

(std., opt., no)

SOFTWARE

Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) both 1 pass both both 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass both both 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass

Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Minimum core size necessary to use N/A 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 8K 4K 8K 8K 8K

this relocatable assembler

Macro assembler capability no yes no no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Compilers available (specify Fortran IV Fortran IV none none ASA Basic ASA Basic ASA Fortran IV Fortran IV ASA Basic Fortran IV Fortran IV Fortran IV

explicitly e.g., Fortran II, IV, Extended Extended Standard Fortran ASA Basic Fortran ASA Basic

ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran Fortran Fortran IV ASA Basic Fortran Fortran IV Fortran

Conversational compilers (e.g., Fortran IV none Fortran Fortran APL none none none none none none none none

FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.) BASIC

Real-time executive monitor yes yes no no no yes no yes yes yes yes no yes

available (yes, no)

Disc operating system available yes no no no yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS

Basic system price with 4K words $23,800 $ 9,950 $10,800 $13,800 $25,880 $47,300 $11,950 $15,000 $19,000 $14,800 N/A $18,000 N/A

including power supplies

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not $ 1,200 $ 2,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,900 Included $ 2,930 Included Included Included $ 1,700 -- Included --

already included in Basic System

Price)

Total system price, including $25,000 $12,450 $12,700 $15,700 $25,880 $50,230 $11,950 $15,000 $19,000 $16,500 -- $18,000 --

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU

Basic system price with 8K words $31,800 $15,950 $17,700 $20,700 $34,030 $55,700 $15,900 $23,000 $24,600 $22,300 $34,000 $23,000 $30,000

including adequate power supplies,

enclosure, control panel

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not $ 1,200 $ 2,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,900 Included $ 2,930 Included Included Included $ 1,700 $ 7,000 Included Included

already included in Basic System (ASR-35)

Price)

Total system price including $33,000 $18,450 $19,600 $22,600 $34,030 $58,630 $15,900 $23,000 $24,600 $24,000 $41,000 $23,000 $30,000

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35)

PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE

Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Approximate price for $23,355 $18,000 $ 9,900 $ 9,900 -- $15,620 N/A $10,500 $10,500 $24,000 $25,000 $24,000 $24,000

operational unit (including to to to

controller, computer options $35,430 $28,000 $28,000

necessary, etc.)

Mass storage device available yes N/A yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Approximate price of operational $22,300 -- $17,400 $17,400 Included $13,500 -- $21,500 $21,500 $19,500 $26,000 $30,000 $30,000

unit (including controller, to

computer options necessary, etc.) $36,000

High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 300 60 -- 300 300 300 300 300 300 300

$ 3,800 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 1,720 -- N/A $ 3,300 $ 3,000 $ 3,000 Combination $ 4,000 $ 4,000

Approximate price of operational unit $12,000

High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes no no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 110 50 60 60 -- -- 60 110 110 120 120 100 100

$ 4,500 $ 3,000 $ 3,800 $ 3,800 -- -- N/A $ 4,200 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Combination $ 4,000 $ 4,000

Approximate price of operational unit $12,000

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

Tempo Digital Digital Digital Spear Business

Computers, Equipment Equipment Equipment General Computers, Information Computer Data General

Inc. Varian Corp. Corp. Corp. Automation Motorola Inc. Technology Automation Technology Automation Varian

MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER Tempo 1 620 i LINC-8 PDP 8/1 PDP 8/L SPC-12 MDP-1000 Micro Linc 480/482 PDC-808 DT-1600 SPC-8 520 i

MEMORY

Memory cycle time (µs) 0.9 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.16 1 3.0 8.0 8.0 2.0 1.5

Memory word length (bits) 16 16/18 12 12 12 8 8 12 8 8 8 8 8

Minimum memory size (words) 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 1K 4K 4K 4K 4K

Memory increment size (words) 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 1K, 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K

Maximum memory size (words) 65K 32K 32K 32K 8K 16K 16K 32K 65K 16K 16K 8K 32K

Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. no no opt. opt.

Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. std. no no no no no opt. no std.

CPU FEATURES

Instruction word length(s) 16/32 16/32 12 12/24 12/24 8,12,16 12 12 8/16 8/16 8/16 8,12,16 8/16

Number of accumulators (or 2 2 2 1 1 4 6 1 1 1 1 2 7

general purpose registers that

can be used as accumulators)

Number of hardware registers 7 6 10 4 4 8 9 12 8 8 8 6 7

(not including index registers)

Number of index registers 1 hardware 2 hardware 8 memory 8 memory 8 memory 3 hardware 3 hardware 16 memory none none none 1 hardware 1 hardware

(indicate whether they are

hardware, memory or other

techniques)

How many bits for operation code 4 4 2,3,7 3 3 8 8 7 8 6 4 8,12 3

How many bits for address modes 3 3 3 1 1 3 3 5 none 2 2 3 3

Number of addressing modes 8 4 6 2 2 5 6 4 1 4 2 4 5

How many bits for address 9/16 9/11 12, 10, 8, 4 8/15 8/13 12 12 12 8/16 8 8 12 15

In this machine one can directly

address _________ words in 512 2,048 1,024 256 256 4,096 4,096 1,024 256 512 512 4,096 4,096

_________ µs and indirectly 0.9 3.6 3.0 1.9 1.6 4.2 4.32 2.0 3.0 24.0 16.0 4.2 2.5

address _________ words in 65K 32K 4K 32K 8K 4K 4K 1K 65K 16K 16K 4K 32K

_________ µs 1.8 5.4 4.5 3.0 3.2 6.3 10.8 3.0 23.25 40.0 32.0 6.3 5.25

Indirect addressing Multi-level Multi-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Multi-level Multi-level Single-level Multi-level

(multi-level, single-level, no)

ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS

Store time for full word (µs) 1.8 3.6 3.0 3.0 3.2 4.2 4.32 2.0 14.25 24.0 24.0 4.2 4.5

Add time for full word (µs) 1.8 3.6 3.0 3.0 3.2 4.2 4.32 2.0 14.25 24.0 24.0 4.2 4.5

Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. mult.-std. opt. no no no mult.-std. opt. no no no no

(std., opt., no) div.-opt. div.-no

Multiply time--hardware (µs) 7 10 34 N/A -- -- -- 14 N/A -- -- -- --

Divide time--hardware (µs) 9 10-14 37 N/A -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- --

Multiply time--software (µs) -- 200 -- 360 360 N/A N/A 300 N/A 1,100 1,200 400 N/A

Divide time--software (µs) -- 200 460 460 460 N/A N/A 1700 N/A 1,880 1,500 500 N/A

I/O CAPABILITY

Data path width (bits) 8/16 16/18 12 12 12 8/12 12 12 8 8 8 8/12 8/16

Direct memory access (DMA) opt. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. no no opt. opt.

channel (std., opt., no)

Maximum DMA word transfer rate 800 KHZ 200 KHZ 666 KHZ 666 KHZ 625 KHZ 430 KHZ 430 KHZ 1 MHZ 250 KHZ -- -- 430 KHZ 660 KHZ

Number of external priority 4 none 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 3 2 3

interrupt levels provided

in basic system

Maximum number of external 256 64 1 64 64 256 64 1 1 64 32 256 11

interrupts

Response time (µs) including 3.6 14.0 14.0 18.6 20.0 N/A 8.0 50.0 88.0 32.0 20.0 1.5

time to save registers of

interrupted program and

initiate new program execution

OTHER FEATURES

Power failure protect std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

(std., opt., no)

Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt.

failure (std., opt., no)

Real-time clock or internal timer opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt.

(std., opt., no)

SOFTWARE

Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) both 22 pass both both both 1 pass 2 pass 2 pass 3 pass 2 pass 2 pass 1 pass 2 pass

Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes no yes yes yes yes yes no no no yes yes yes

Minimum core size necessary to use 4K -- 8K 8K 8K 4K 4K -- -- -- 4K 4K 4K

this relocatable assembler

Macro assembler capability yes no yes yes yes no yes no no no no no no

Compilers available (specify ASA Fortran II Fortran II Fortran II Fortran II none none none ASA none none none none

explicitly, e.g., Fortran II, Basic Algol Algol Algol Basic

IV, ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran Fortran

Conversational compilers (e.g., none none BASIC FOCAL FOCAL no no no no no no no no

FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.) FOCAL BASIC BASIC

LAP-6

Real-time executive monitor no no no no no yes yes yes yes no no yes no

available (yes, no)

Disc operating system available no no yes yes yes no no no no no yes no no

(yes, no)

BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS

Basic system price with 4K words $15,000 $12,100 $38,500 $12,800 $ 8,500 $ 6,400 $ 8,500 $46,500[A] $ 9,310 $ 6,600 $ 6,600 $ 6,400 $ 7,500

including power supplies

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 1,800 Included Included Included $ 1,100 $ 1,200 Included Included $ 1,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,100 $ 1,400

already included in Basic System

Price)

Total system price, including $15,000 $13,900 $38,500 $12,800 $ 8,500 $ 7,500 $ 9,700 $46,500[A] $ 9,310 $ 8,100 $ 8,500 $ 7,500 $ 8,900

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU

Basic system price with 8K words $19,000 $18,500 $47,500 $16,300 $13,200 $ 9,600 $11,500 $56,500[A] $11,250 $ 8,800 $ 8,800 $ 9,600 $10,000

including adequate power supplies,

enclosure, control panel

Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 1,800 Included Included Included $ 1,100 $ 1,200 Included Included $ 1,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,100 $ 1,400

already included in Basic System

Price)

Total system price including $19,000 $20,300 $47,500 $16,300 $13,200 $10,700 $12,700 $56,500[E] $11,250 $10,300 $10,700 $10,700 $11,400

ASR-33 Teletype and CPU

PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE

Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Approximate price for $12,000 N/A $24,700 $24,700 $24,700 $11,000 N/A N/A $18,700 $ 5,700 $ 9,950 $ 9,800 $ 9,000

operational unit (including to to

controller, computer options $22,500 $10,000

necessary, etc.)

Mass storage device available yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Approximate price of operational N/A N/A $ 6,000 $ 8,700 $ 8,700 $ 6,000 N/A N/A $ 7,390 $ 9,950 $10,000 $ 6,000 N/A

unit (including controller, to to to to to

computer options necessary, etc.) $15,700 $15,700 $15,000 $16,500 $15,000

High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300

Approximate price of operational unit N/A N/A $ 2,500 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 3,000 N/A N/A $ 2,300 $ 2,200 $ 3,300 $ 3,000 $ 2,900

High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

(yes, no)

Speed (char/sec) 60/120 60/120 50 50 50 120 120 120 60 60 60 60/120 60

N/A N/A $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 4,000 N/A N/A $ 3,000 $ 3,300 $ 2,900 $ 3,600- $ 3,300

Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,000

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

[E] Price includes 2 mag tapes and crt with keyboard

Appendix B

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CHAPTER 3, A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF

EXPENDITURES

At the November 1962 "Grossinger Conference on the Utilization of

Multiparameter Analyzers in Nuclear Physics" a paper by W. F. Miller

and H. W. Fulbright was presented in which data-analysis systems then

in use in AEC-sponsored laboratories in the fields of high-and

low-energy nuclear physics were reviewed. By that time many

applications of computers had already been made in the high-energy

field, while there were only a few examples of computer systems to be

found in low-energy laboratories, and those were rather simple.

Chapter 3 gives a similar review, but in this case the high-energy

field is excluded; the emphasis is concentrated on the economic

aspects of data-acquisition systems used in low-and medium-energy

physics. In the earlier paper, only AEC-sponsored laboratories were

covered, but in the present case some NSF-supported laboratories are

also included. Chapter 3 is a condensed version of a paper presented

by H. W. Fulbright at the Skytop "Conference on Computer Systems in

Experimental Nuclear Physics" in March 1969.

The first part of Chapter 3 presents a review and a simple analysis

of the expenditures for on-line computing in a total of 36 different

laboratories supported by the AEC and NSF. The second part presents a

discussion of trends visible in, or suggested by the analysis, along

with some other remarks about the support of on-line computing

facilities in nuclear-physics research laboratories.

Most of the information was supplied by the AEC. It was requested by

Paul W. McDaniel in letters sent in December 1968. Information was

received from about 90 percent of those from whom it was requested.

It was then forwarded to the author C. V. Smith, arriving in the

first two weeks of February 1969. The NSF found that certain

administrative regulations made the sending out of a questionnaire a

complicated procedure, so a different approach had to be adopted in

their case. Letters requesting the information were sent by the

reviewer himself directly to laboratory directors, the appropriate

names and addresses having been kindly supplied by William Rodney of

the NSF. Here the response was less complete. Most of the returns

arrived by February 21, 1969.

A large amount of information was available for analysis. In many

cases the laboratory involved had done a thorough job, and the

numbers presented in those cases were especially valuable in

providing a basis for estimating expenses for various items omitted

in less complete reports from other laboratories, particularly in the

case of manpower. In some ways, the information necessarily remained

incomplete because no practical means of obtaining it occurred to the

reviewer; the organization of the material in the analysis reflects

this fact.

Institutions Reporting Systems

------------------------------------------------------------

Place Number of Systems

--------------------------------------- -----------------

Brookhaven National Laboratory 7

University of California at Los Angeles 1

University of Kansas 1

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory 8

University of Maryland 1

University of Minnesota 1

Oak Ridge National Laboratory 6

University of Texas 1

Texas A & M 1

Yale 2

University of Wisconsin 1

University of Colorado 1

Argonne National Laboratory 2

Columbia University 3

University of Washington 1

University of Pennsylvania 1

University of Iowa 1

Ohio State University 1

University of Rochester 1

Michigan State University 1

Stanford University 1

Rutgers-Bell Labs. 2

Transcriber's Note

On page 69, item 6. was written as 5. in the original.

In this text version, the caret character has been used to represent

exponents, e.g. 10^6. _Italic text_ has been enclosed in underscores.