Portable data logger

channels . Under microprocessor control, each input channel can be scanned at any one of five preselected rates, and provision is made for the insertion of internally generated time and data information and manually programmed header data into the record . The data is recorded by a built-in standard 1/4-inch magnetic tape data cartridge in ANSI/ECMA serial format, giving direct computer compatibility . (Microdata Ltd., Monitor House, Station Road, Radlett, Herts. WD7 8JX, UK. Tel: 09276 3141, Tx: 924937) 0

Satellite, a portable word processing terminal from Philips. Weighing about 8 kg, the Satellite can enter data into the Philips P5000 range of word processors . It consists of a standard keyboard plus extra word processing keys, a 40 character single-line LCD display, a minicassette recorder that stores text and commands, and an interface to the P5000 word processors. (Philips Business Equipment, Arundel Great Court, 8 Arundel Street, London WC2R 3DT, UK. Tel: 01 836 4360) 0

Shared-resource systems NCR has entered the office automation market with a range of multifunction shared-resource systems . The Worksaver systems were designed as word processing systems that can operate individually or in clusters by sharing printing and information storage resources . Communications capabilities and data processing software packages have also been announced for the range, along with communications interfaces that allow the systems to be linked with computer networks. Two series of workstation models have been launched . The WS-100 series will provide word processing facilities for stand-alone or small cluster systems . The WS200 line provides a master workstation that can control larger clusters of WS-100 devices . Three information storage units are available, providing up to 40 000 pages of text storage . available for the Software systems includes two word process-

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ing packages, compilers for BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL A and FORTRAN and packages for 3270, 2780/3780 and asynchronous communications protocols . (NCR Ltd.,- 206 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6LY, UK. Tel : 01 288 8244) 0

Portable data logger A portable multichannel data logging system has been announced by Microdata . The Prolog is capable of interfacing directly with any mixture of common analogue or digital transducers . This is achieved by the use of a separate plug-in signalconditioning module for each input channel used . As a self-contained unit, the instrument can accept up to 20 signal-conditioning modules, with provision for expanding the system to a maximum of 100

Apple network A networking system for Apple II microcomputers has been announced by Keen Computers . Appleshare is a shared peripheral system based on the Corvus Omninet local network, and allows up to 63 Apples to share one to six floppy disc drives and a common printer, using twisted pair cabling . The network can be expanded to incorporate 6-40 Mbyte of Winchester disc storage and Corvus Constellation software . The Constellation software includes pipes for computer-to-computer communications, peripherals spooling and support for Apple DOS and Apple PASCAL. The network comprises a network server, which controls access to the disc drives and printer, and Omninet transporter (interface) cards for each computer . The network server is a standard Apple II with 48 kbyte of RAM and disccontrol software supplied by Corvus . Total network length can be up to 1,000 feet with data transmission at 1 Mbyte/s. Although all stations on the network maintain independence, each can automatically boot from the network server and share the network's peripherals, and a failure on one station will not affect the other stations . (Keen Computers Ltd., 5 Giltspur Street, London EC1, Tel: 01 248 7307) 0

computer communications