A multiprogram approach to real-time experimentation

A technique for implementing real-time experiments utilizing several separate and independent programs is discussed. The technique can be employed when the experimental procedure is divided into real-time and nonreal-time program units. These program units are executed in the most appropriate computing environment, and the resulting output is directed to a sequential file. The nonreal-time program issues commands to the real-time program by means of keywords that are inserted in the sequential file output at those points where real-time operations are required. These commands are interpreted by the real-time program which processes the sequential file. While the nonreal-time program is experiment-specific, the real-time program is independent of the particular experiment performed. The applications of this multiprogram approach to real-time experimentation are considered.