Since some beam diagnostics systems (SEM Grids and Stepper Motors), which were designed for the old GSI MIL Devicebus control system, won't be replaced in the near future, we will need a device to perform tests and controlling in field. Currently there are some older PCs used, which have in-house designed PCI-Devicebus interface cards installed. Drivers for these cards are only available for Windows 7 and the applications to test and control the systems were programmed in Labview, which will also no longer be maintained by BEA. The risk of failure of these systems is increasing with time and supply of spare parts will become quite difficult.
For integration of devices into the FAIR control system, ACO will use a SCU with MIL-Bus interface. The SCU can also be run with a local running operating system installed on a USB stick. This brought up the idea, to use a SCU as stand alone device for our purposes.