This paper discusses the digital waveform generator, which is a program in a dedicated transputer. It may be written in a higher language, though the immediate application is driven by simple tables prepared by the user. The hardware (associated clock optional) may be a module in a parallel computer or an element in the controls of experimental equipment.

The Inmos implementation described provides precise state times ranging from 200 ns to infinity, in 50 ns increments (which are defined in terms of operating cycles and hence may vary with the hardware used). The main program provides a great deal of flexibility in the control of communication links and multitasking. Simplified schematics describe the logic and the example (reading rasters of astronomical detectors).

A comparison with a bit-slice implementation equivalent design shows a slightly inferior performance on this hardware but reveals a cost reduction of more than one order of magnitude in terms of host control signals, IC use, and power consumption.

I consider the generator to be more applicable to both test generation and experimental control than the author suggests. I am also mildly curious as to whether it was used much in the extensive and highly regarded studies made at the author’s observatory (Cerro Tololo) on supernova SN 1987A.