Since 1960 the Laboratory Automation Department of the KFKI Research Institute for Measurement and Computing Techniques have been developing and producing nuclear measuring instruments (e.g. multichannel analysers) mainly for gamma-spectrometry. This work was augmented, after 1970 by the development of CAMAC standard real-time peripheral systems for applications in nuclear, industrial, biomedical, chemical-analytical measurement-, data acquisition-, and control systems. We have developed more than 150 different types of CAMAC modules, and several hundred have been produced annually. Many of the modules are used in our complex measurement-automation systems. The largest one we built is a measurement-automation system for a big fusion device (TOKAMAK T15). In addition we continued the development of highly advanced multichannel analysers, either as stand-alone devices, or as 'an add-in board' for PC-s.

After 1980 the department deals with the research, development and production of real-time systems and system elements based principally (besides CAMAC, NIM) on VME, VXI, Multibus II, and PC/AT-bus standards, and the realisation of measuring systems utilising these devices. We also develop application programs for the above systems.

Presently our former department continues its work under the name Directorate of Laboratory Automation (LAI)of Foundation for Information Technology (ITA) of Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). The main part of our present R&D work is intended to use partly for measurement automation in the field of high-energy nuclear research (CERN, Geneva; KFA Jülich; etc.), partly to develop new, high-precision analog and mixed-signal electronics.

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