The structure of AMBUSH

The data producer consists of a shell, a task scheduler, a condition checker and a data management system. (See Fig. 3.1.) The shell interprets user input in a C-like language that allows scheduling and canceling tests to perform on modules; issuing slow-control commands; and responding to error (or any, really) conditions. Scheduled tasks get run at their intended time by the scheduler. The error checker periodically checks for error conditions; and a queue takes care that concurrent interactions with the hardware don't result in resource contention. The data management system writes to files the data that is generated by testing and monitoring the modules. Sec.  explains each producer component in detail.