🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1991Jan30.220306.13451@metro.ucc.su.OZ.AU>, king@suphys.physics.su.OZ.AU (Peter King) writes...
> 
>	Here at the Plasma Physics Department of Sydney University we are 
>currently using a MicroVAX II to acquire data from our tokamak.  This 
>involves interrogating our CAMAC crates to obtain data.  We are using part of 
>a commercial package called CAMVMS v 2.1 by Sunrise Software as well as two 
>CAMAC crate controllers made be DSP Technology.
> 
>	I would like to know whether anyone out there has used this software 
>and if so whether it runs under VMS 5.4-1.  Currently we running VMS 5.2 and 
>would like to upgrade to VMS 5.4-1. Is this possible without upgrading CAMVMS 
>as well?
> 
>	In addition I would like to know whether anyone can turn off their CAMAC crates without
>causing their MicroVAX to crash?........


	Peter,

	We are currently running two CAMAC systems here that are connected
to MicroVaxes.  Originally one was hooked up to a MicroVax II, but it is now
connected to a MicorVax 3300...the other system is connected to a 3400.

	We have two different interfaces on the systems...one is the DSP 
interface that I think you are using - going through a DEC DRV11-W to the
crate.  

	Unfortunatly, I cannot tell you if the CAMVMS software will work 
under VMS 5.4-1, since I am also still at V 5.2.  I suggest that you call
DSP or Sunrise Software directly, as they should be able to give you that
information.

	As to having the Vax crash when you power down the crate, I have
have the same problem...it even happens if I first run their CAMAC_POWER.COM
program which supposeably prevents the system from responding to interrupts
from the crate.

	It is because of these and a couple other problems, that I switched
to a Kenitic Systems interface for our second CAMAC system.  In addition
to much better (IMHO) documentation and ease of use of the software, we do
not experiece the power-down/crash feature of the DSP system.  The KS system
does not use the DRV11-W (actually a DRV-1 on the 3000 series), rather they
have their own interface board that plugs into the Q-bus.

	I am planning in the near future to upgrade to VMS 5.4-1, and I
will try to remeber to post here what problems I encounter when I do so.

	Good luck with your system, and if you find a solution to the 
crash problem, please let me know!!

		- Glenn J. Christman

+----------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
|    Some things have to be believed to be seen      | Amigas, VAXen, Suns |
|				      - Ralph Hodgson|			   |
+----------------------------------------------------+---------------------+
| Any opinions expressed or implied are my own, and do not necessarily     |
| reflect those of my employer....no matter how spacy they are.            |
|           Glenn J. Christman - WD8OMW  NASA Lewis Research Center        |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+