Hi EPICS users,
I am beginning to explore the idea of using EPICS as the basis for automated-control data feedback loops in the context of high-intensity-laser plasma experiments. The experimental repetition rates vary between 1 Hz and 1 kHz, depending
on the facility. Typical devices in the pipeline include cameras, fast digitizers, slow digitizers, motor controls, oscilloscopes, etc. Recently I have been also been working on developing custom embedded systems based on microcontrollers, that can do some
early on-board distributed pre-analysis of data.
As I explore EPICS, I have a couple of introductory questions for which I think you could quickly help.
- Is there support for using microcontrollers as EPICS clients? E.g. ethernet-enabled Arduinos or STM32 Nucleo Boards.
- Am I correct in my understanding that EPICS is meant primarily for managing systems data and systems control, rather than the core scientific data from an experiment (e.g. bandwidth-heavy
high-speed cameras with 300 Hz image updates, fast digitizers, etc)?
- If my understanding is correct, do you know of any similar projects relating to managing the data pipeline for acquisition and storage of high-bandwidth, non-feedback-control scientific
data?
Thank you!
Scott
Scott Feister
Assistant Professor, Computer Science
California State University Channel Islands
scott.feister at csuci.edu