The development of a low cost data handling system

There exists a class of data processing problems requiring the reduction of large amounts of data for analysis by an engineer in conjunction with the testing of newly designed data systems. It is desirable that this data be processed for analysis by the engineer without the use of expensive test time on a large computer system. It is also desirable that the data handling system be capable of transferring data to or from a wide variety of peripheral devices without complex interfacing requirements. In order to fulfill these requirements a low cost data handling system was developed. The system employs a small general purpose computer or 'mini-computer.' Peripheral equipment interfaces were designed to allow input of data from systems under test, and output of data in hard copy or computer compatible 1/2 inch magnetic tape. The resultant data handling system was used successfully to test new equipment designs and to demonstrate the operation of data acquisition systems.