A microprocessor-based experiment controller for the VPI & SU satellite tracking station

Abstract

In many applications the microprocessor can represent an attractive design alternative to hardwired integrated circuitry. Such designs can offer substantial in teras of flexibility, cost and reliability, generally at the expense of operating speed. This paper contains a detailed description of such a system, in which a Zilog Z80 microprocessor is used as the basis for an intelligent controlling interface between an assortment of experimental instruments and a PDP-11 minicomputer. The details of the hardware and software designs, which could be employed in a wide range of experiment and process control applications, are presented.