Ethernet-based automation in radioactivity measurements
C.D. Schwenker, James C. Daly, Thomas M. Semkow, Michael E. Kitto · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1993
The paper describes an integrated radioactivity measurements laboratory involved in a New York State program of monitoring environmental radioactivity and bioassay samples. The laboratory is set up as a comprehensive Ethernet network that integrates radiation detectors, electronics hardware components as well as software automation and communications. Two DEC VAXstations 3100 and 3200 are central to the system. The VAXstation 3100 runs the Canberra/Nuclear Data Genie data-acquisition program. The Acquisition Interface Modules interface the ADCs to the Ethernet. Using the DEC Pathworks, the VAXstation 3100 is also a server for the Ethernet-based network of several 486 and 386 PCs. A designated PC can display the Genie acquisition window, in addition to the main window at VAXstation 3100. Another PC collects data from several NaI detectors using the Oxford/Nucleus DMR-II program. The paper also describe the plans for the future upgrades such as installation of VAXstation 4000/90 as well as interfacing the proportional counters and surface barrier detectors to the network.