High-speed multi-input VME bus data acquisition system

A data acquisition module, developed under a modular organizational archite cture with links to an object-oriented design approach, is described. The m odule comprises four independent 250 MHz eight-bit data acquisition channel s and a DSP, each channel controlling a large memory pool for converted dat a and supporting several trigger and operating mechanisms. The hardware, al though complex, is completely controlled through a set of hierarchically or ganized classes, making use of the object-oriented programming paradigm to keep complexity (from the user's and programmer's points of view) to a mini mum. The integration of the module in the data acquisition system of the reflect ometry diagnostic in tokamak ASDEX-Upgrade is described, showing the hardwa re in regular use and the validity of the object-oriented interface develop ed for programming.