Because of the rapidly increasing demands on data acquisition and computer processing systems in most DOE-funded research today, FASTBUS has become a vital presence in high energy physics projects worldwide. Similarly, because of its broad flexibility and international character, VMEbus is emerging as a popular host and post-processing environment. Although some systems have been designed that allow communication between FASTBUS and VMEbus, none take full advantage of the wide range of communication modes that are possible with these bus structures. This project suggests that with the proper knowledge of these bus structures, current interface technology, and the specific needs of the prospective users of these systems, a more widely accepted and powerful FASTBUS to VMEbus interface could be designed. To this end a detailed study of FASTBUS and VMEbus specifications will be carried out. A study of available VME-FASTBUS interfaces will provide important knowledge about the strengths and limitations of the current technology. A survey of users, especially in the high energy physics community, will yield valuable information about their particular requirements for such a device. Then, all of this information will be used to determine a desired set of interface features. The feasibility of incorporating these features into one of several general models will be judged. On the basis of this judgment, a detailed description of the planned device will be submitted along with a block diagram indicating the device's functional elements and their interconnections. Finally, appropriate Phase II development will be recommended.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The successful completion of this study will result in a detailed description of a FASTBUS interface to VMEbus, which will be designed to utilize the inherent strengths of each bus structure as well as accommodate the specific needs of the high energy physics community. The subsequent manufacture and availability of this device would provide a critical link in the computer instrumentation requirements of many ongoing and planned DOE-funded research projects.
