1.1. - Introduction
spec is a UNIX-based software package for instrument control and data acquisition widely used for X-ray diffraction at synchrotrons around the world and in university, national and industrial laboratories. Features include:
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Built-in code to regulate motor controllers and
detection electronics using VME, CAMAC,
GPIB,
RS-232,
PC-board
and ethernet-socket
interfaces.
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Generalized access for VME, CAMAC, GPIB, RS-232, PC I/O ports
and socket I/O
to read from and write to
user devices.
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Sophisticated user interface with command interpreter,
complete with variables, looping and
flow control, allowing for creative experiment automation.
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Language uses a familiar C-like syntax.
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A command-file facility allows complicated or commonly used
command sequences
to be immediately called up.
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An easy-to-use macro facility, with
a large library of predefined macros.
Macros can be readily modified with any text editor to suit experiments.
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Scans, data-file formats, etc. are
not built into the compiled program
but defined as easily modified macros.
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High-resolution, real-time data plots are available
on X Windows and Sunview systems.
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Macro libraries
and geometry-calculation routines support
two-, four-, five- and six-circle
diffractometers, kappa diffractometers, many
liquid surface X-ray diffractometers and other configurations.
The standard four-circle diffractometer supports many advanced modes
and includes features such as least-squares refinement of the
lattice parameters.
New geometry configurations can be easily created.
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Hardware
configuration
employs a spread-sheet-style interface to select
device names, addresses, CAMAC slot assignments, motor parameters, etc.
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Security features
let site administrators restrict access to
particular motors (such as those at a synchrotron beam-line front end).
- Available for most UNIX Systems, widely used on Linux PC platforms and UNIX workstations, including SUN (both SunOS 4.x and Solaris 2.x), HP 700 series and IBM RS/6000.