The MTX (Microwave Tokamak Experiment) data acquisition system

The diagnostic data from the MTX experiment is acquired and processed by an expandable, distributed, multivendor computer network. The system blends a variety of software into a coordinated, unified, and highly flexible design. Using modular software design techniques, we created a system stressing distributed processing, portability, and transparent data access. In our approach to modularity, we standardized communication interfaces between modules and separated generic tasks from machine and application-specific implementations. For flexible distributed processing, we used modular, portable software and LLNL facility that provides an interprocess communication system (IPCS) in the multivendor network. With transparent data access, any program can access data stored anywhere in the network without knowing the specific location. The computer hardware includes a DEC VAX cluster, HP workstations and HP desktop computers. We are using commercial software in addition to packages from MIT, ORNL, and LLNL. 4 refs., 4 figs