CodaLite

codaLite Data Acquisition Package

codaLite is a lightweight and easy to install and use DAQ package suitable for everything but full-scale high-speed DAQ systems (CODA3 is being developed for these). It is in use in numerous test stands at JLab and at universities, and has been in use for a number of years. It is composed of CODA3 components, early prototypes of CODA3 components, and other software written specifically for codaLite.

codaLite includes much of the functionality of CODA3, but sacrifices scalability and robustness against component failure for simplicity and ease of use. Extensive use is made of the cMsg interprocess communication package (a CODA3 component), which allows for a complete decoupling of DAQ components so that they can be developed and tested in isolation. In CODA3 cMsg is used for run control, but the ET system (a very high-speed shared-memory based interprocess communication system) is used for event transfer. In codaLite cMsg is used for both.

codaLite optionally supports AFECS, the CODA3 run control package. AFECS provides a graphical run control interface, real-time histograms of event and data rates, etc, but requires creation of configuration files covering all possible DAQ configurations you might need (not a big deal in most cases). If AFECS is not used, simple scripts are used to start and stop runs.

All codaLite components run on Linux and Solaris, and most components are supported on VxWorks. Readout libraries are available to read out common front-end DAQ modules such as the JLab F1 TDC, JLab FADC 250, CAEN V792 integrating ADC, etc.

codaLite.tar.gz can be found on the CODA ftp site. Included in the distribution is a README file describing how to install and use codaLite.