Fix low rate deduction on HW daq

* Implemented support for diabling theshold channel
* Separate proton current simulation db.
* Separate startup snippet with support for simulation mode.
* Short readme entry

Makefile

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ TEMPLATES += db/daq_common.db
 TEMPLATES += db/daq_2nd_gen.db
 TEMPLATES += db/daq_2nd_gen_test.db
 TEMPLATES += db/daq.proto
+TEMPLATES += db/daq_soft_proton.db
+TEMPLATES += db/sim_proton_current.db
 
 # Just for simulation
 TEMPLATES += db/daq_simcontrol.db
@@ -29,13 +31,15 @@ DBDS += src/daq.dbd
 
 # Source files to build
 SOURCES += src/daq.cpp
+SOURCES += src/daq_soft_proton.c
 
 SCRIPTS += scripts/daq_4ch.cmd
 SCRIPTS += scripts/daq_8ch.cmd
 SCRIPTS += scripts/daq_2nd_gen.cmd
+SCRIPTS += scripts/daq_soft_proton.cmd
 SCRIPTS += sim/daq_sim.py
 
 CXXFLAGS += -std=c++17
-USR_CFLAGS += -Wall -Wextra #-Werror
+USR_CFLAGS += -std=c11 -Wall -Wextra #-Werror
 
 # MISCS  would be the place to keep the stream device template files

README.md

@@ -299,3 +299,82 @@ require based module system.
 
 You might have to change the specified version in the
 [test/st.cmd](test/st.cmd) file to the version you compiled and want to test.
+
+## Software based proton current DAQ
+This repository also contain a software based DAQ implementation that just
+requires a channel access link (remote Process Variable) to a proton rate.
+From that it implements the same interface as the counter boxes, and is
+compatible with the sinqdaq device in Nicos, albeit with only one channel.
+
+### Simulated software based proton current DAQ
+You can start a proton current DAQ based on a simulation with the following
+command on any PC having the SINQ epics environment installed.
+```
+iocsh -r sinqDAQ,0.4.0 -c 'epicsEnvSet(SET_SIM_MODE,"" )' -c 'epicsEnvSet(INSTR,SQ:TEST:)' -c 'epicsEnvSet(NAME, SPC)' -c 'runScript $(sinqDAQ_DIR)daq_soft_proton.cmd'
+```
+
+### Example st.cmd declaration
+
+To include it in an existing st.cmd, add the following lines:
+```
+require sinqDAQ, 0.4.0
+# This is the proton current PV from HIPA, however it's not available in the shutdown
+epicsEnvSet(REMOTE_RATE_PV,"MHC6:IST:2")
+# During shutdown you can specify this empty env var to have a simulated proton current.
+epicsEnvSet(SET_SIM_MODE,"" ) # During operation remove this.
+runScript $(sinqDAQ_DIR)daq_soft_proton.cmd "INSTR=SQ:TEST:, NAME=SPC"
+```
+
+### Example NICOS setup file declaration
+```
+description = 'Setup for software based proton counter'
+
+pvprefix = 'SQ:TEST:SPC'
+
+channels = ['protoncount']
+
+devices = dict(
+    elapsedtime = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.DAQTime',
+        daqpvprefix = pvprefix,
+    ),
+    protoncount = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.DAQChannel',
+        description = 'Proton counter channel',
+        daqpvprefix = pvprefix,
+        channel = 1,
+        type = 'monitor',
+    ),
+    preset = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.DAQPreset',
+        description = 'Time/Count Preset',
+        daqpvprefix = pvprefix,
+        channels = channels,
+        time_channel = ['elapsedtime'],
+    ),
+    ThresholdChannel = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.DAQMinThresholdChannel',
+        daqpvprefix = pvprefix,
+        channels = channels,
+    ),
+    Threshold = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.DAQMinThreshold',
+        daqpvprefix = pvprefix,
+        min_rate_channel = 'ThresholdChannel',
+    ),
+    spcdet = device(
+        'nicos_sinq.devices.epics.sinqdaq.SinqDetector',
+        description = 'Detector device that estimates proton counts in software',
+        timers = ['elapsedtime'],
+        counters = [],
+        monitors = ['preset'] + channels,
+        images = [],
+        others = [],
+        liveinterval = 7,
+        saveintervals = [60]
+    ),
+)
+startupcode = '''
+SetDetectors(spcdet)
+'''
+```

db/daq_2nd_gen.db

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RATE_MAP")
 {
  field(DESC, "Want a consistent lowrate pv")
  field(INPA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RAW-STATUS.B2 NPP")
- field(CALC, "(A=1)?1:0")
+ field(CALC, "(A=1)?0:1")
 }
 
 ################################################################################

db/daq_4ch.db

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RATE_MAP")
 {
  field(DESC, "Want a consistent lowrate pv")
  field(INPA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RAW-STATUS.B2 NPP")
- field(CALC, "(A=0)?1:0")
+ field(CALC, "(A=0)?0:1")
 }
 
 ################################################################################

db/daq_8ch.db

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RATE_MAP")
 {
  field(DESC, "Want a consistent lowrate pv")
  field(INPA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RAW-STATUS.B2 NPP")
- field(CALC, "(A=0)?1:0")
+ field(CALC, "(A=0)?0:1")
 }
 
 ################################################################################

db/daq_common.db

@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNTING_PRESET")
 record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_LOWRATE")
 {
  field(INP, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):RATE_MAP PP")
- field(ZNAM, "LOW RATE")
- field(ONAM, "GOOD RATE")
+ field(ONAM, "LOW RATE")
+ field(ZNAM, "GOOD RATE")
 }
 
 record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_PAUSED")
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):MAP-STATUS")
  field(INPD, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNTING_PRESET PP")
  field(INPE, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_LOWRATE PP")
  field(INPF, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_PAUSED PP")
- field(CALC, "(A=1||B=1)?4:(F=1)?3:(C=0&&D=0)?0:(E=0)?2:1")
+ field(CALC, "(A=1||B=1)?4:(F=1)?3:(C=0&&D=0)?0:(E=1)?2:1")
  field(FLNK, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):STATUS")
 }
 

db/daq_soft_proton.db

@@ -0,0 +1,329 @@
+# EPICS database for counterbox-like interface using proton current,
+# as retrieved via network from HIPA.
+#
+# This is created to be able reuse the SinqDAQ interface
+# in Nicos, to avoid having more code to maintain there.
+#
+# Commands that has no actual relevant value that needs to be written to them:
+# * Pause
+# * Continue
+# * Stop
+# * Full reset
+# * Reset elapsed time
+# * Reset the counter/monitor value
+# Are all implemented as seq records. Due to how the existing
+# interface worked, they were being written 1 from nicos.
+# It just so turns out that seq record's VAL field triggers processing,
+# but a calcout records VAL field doesn't. seq record was the only option
+# to emulate these features with only 1 record per command.
+#
+# This requires following macros to specified:
+# INSTR: Instrument prefix, e.g. "SQAMOR:"
+# NAME: Name of the DAQ, e.g. "PROTONDAQ"
+# SHUTTER1_PV: PV of a shutter state will be taken as a gate signal for the protoon current
+# SHUTTER1_CLOSED_VAL: Value of the shutter PV when the shutter is closed
+# SHUTTER2_PV: PV of a second shutter state will be taken as a gate signal for the protoon current
+# SHUTTER2_CLOSED_VAL: Value of the shutter PV when the shutter is closed
+
+record(mbbi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):STATUS")
+{
+ field(DESC, "DAQ Status")
+ field(ZRVL, "0")
+ field(ZRST, "Idle")
+ field(ONVL, "1")
+ field(ONST, "Counting")
+ field(TWVL, "2")
+ field(TWST, "Low rate")
+ field(THVL, "3")
+ field(THST, "Paused")
+ # 4 should never happen, if it does it means the DAQ reports undocumented statusbits
+ field(FRVL, "4")
+ field(FRST, "INVALID")
+ # We start in idle
+ field(VAL, 0)
+}
+
+record(longin, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):CHANNELS")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Total Supported Channels")
+ field(VAL, 1)
+ field(DISP, 1)
+}
+
+record(stringin, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):MsgTxt")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Miscellanous messages")
+}
+
+record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_LOWRATE")
+{
+ field(ZNAM, "LOW RATE")
+ field(ONAM, "GOOD RATE")
+}
+
+################################################################################
+# Commands
+################################################################################
+
+record(ao, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-COUNT")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Count until preset reached")
+ field(VAL,  0)
+ field(PREC, 2)
+ field(FLNK, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-COUNT-TRIG")
+}
+
+record(longout, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-COUNT-TRIG")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Count until preset reached")
+ # Signal count preset as command
+ field(VAL, 1)
+ field(OUT,  "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+ field(FLNK, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNT-TYPE")
+}
+
+record(ao, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-TIME")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Count for specified time")
+ field(VAL,  0)
+ field(PREC, 2)
+ field(EGU, "seconds")
+ field(FLNK, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-TIME-TRIG")
+}
+
+record(longout, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-TIME-TRIG")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Count until preset time reached")
+ # Signal count preset as command
+ field(VAL, 2)
+ field(OUT,  "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+ field(FLNK, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNT-TYPE")
+}
+
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PAUSE")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Pause the current count")
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(DO0, 3)
+ field(LNK0, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+}
+
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):CONTINUE")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Continue with a count that was paused")
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(DO0, 4)
+ field(LNK0, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+}
+
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):STOP")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Stop the current counting operation")
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(DO0, 5)
+ field(LNK0,  "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+}
+
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):FULL-RESET")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Perform full reset")
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(DO0, 6)
+ field(LNK0,  "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+}
+
+# Emulate Reset elapsed time
+# 0. set status to busy
+# 1. set elapsed time to 0
+# 2. set status to OK
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):CT")
+{
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(LNK0, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ETS PP")
+ field(DO0, 1)
+ field(LNK1, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ELAPSED-TIME PP")
+ field(DO1, 0)
+ field(LNK2, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ETS PP")
+ field(DO2, 0)
+}
+
+# Record is to signal command given by the client to the emulated counter.
+# It's set back to no command from the emulated counter subroutine record
+record(mbbi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Command type")
+ field(VAL,  0)
+ field(ZRST, "No command")
+ field(ZRVL, 0)
+ field(ONST, "Count preset command")
+ field(ONVL, 1)
+ field(TWST, "Time preset command")
+ field(TWVL, 2)
+ field(THST, "Pause command")
+ field(THVL, 3)
+ field(FRST, "Continue command")
+ field(FRVL, 4)
+ field(FVST, "Stop command")
+ field(FVVL, 5)
+ field(SXST, "Full reset command")
+ field(SXVL, 6)
+}
+
+# Copy COMMAND-TRIG to memorize what type of count is on-going
+record(longin, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNT-TYPE") {
+ field(INP, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG.VAL NPP")
+ field(VAL, 0)
+}
+
+record(longout,"$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD-MONITOR")
+{
+ # Alias to RBV to be compatible with higher level interface
+ alias("$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD-MONITOR_RBV")
+ field(DESC, "Channel monitored for minimum rate")
+ field(VAL,  "1") # Monitor
+ field(DRVL, "0") # Smallest Threshold Channel (0 is off)
+ field(DRVH, "1") # Largest Threshold Channel
+}
+
+record(ao,"$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD")
+{
+ # Alias to RBV to be compatible with higher level interface
+ alias("$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD_RBV")
+ field(DESC, "Minimum rate for counting to proceed")
+ field(VAL,  "1") # Default Rate
+ field(DRVL, "1") # Minimum Rate
+ field(DRVH, "100000") # Maximum Rate
+ field(OMSL, "supervisory")
+}
+
+record(ai,"$(INSTR)$(NAME):ELAPSED-TIME")
+{
+ field(DESC, "DAQ Measured Time")
+ field(EGU,  "sec")
+}
+
+# Current Status of elapsed time
+record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ETS")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Channel Status")
+ field(VAL,  0)
+ field(ZNAM, "OK")
+ field(ONAM, "CLEARING")
+}
+
+record(longout, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):MONITOR-CHANNEL")
+{
+ alias("$(INSTR)$(NAME):MONITOR-CHANNEL_RBV")
+ field(DESC, "PRESET-COUNT Monitors this channel")
+ field(VAL, 1)
+}
+
+# Array Subroutine record which emulates the counterbox functionality
+# Use an aSub because it allows specifying the type.
+record(aSub, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):EMULATION")
+{
+ # Scan rate determines how often we sample the rate
+ # and how often the counter value updates.
+ field(SCAN, ".1 second")
+ field(SNAM, "processEmulatedCounter")
+
+ # The first 4 inputs are also mapped as the first 4 outputs
+ field(INPA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):STATUS")
+ field(FTA,  "ULONG")
+ field(INPB, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):M1")
+ field(FTB,  "INT64")
+ field(INPC, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ELAPSED-TIME")
+ field(FTC,  "DOUBLE")
+ field(INPD, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG")
+ field(FTD,  "ULONG")
+
+ # Address the PV which are mapped as input backwards
+ field(INPE, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD-MONITOR")
+ field(FTE,  "LONG")
+ field(INPF, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):THRESHOLD")
+ field(FTF,  "DOUBLE")
+ field(INPG, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COUNT-TYPE")
+ field(FTG,  "ULONG")
+ field(INPH, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-COUNT")
+ field(FTH,  "DOUBLE")
+ field(INPI, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PRESET-TIME")
+ field(FTI,  "DOUBLE")
+ # L is last input before EPICS 7.0.10
+ field(INPJ, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):R1-PREV")
+ field(FTJ,  "DOUBLE")
+ field(INPL, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):R1 PP")
+ field(FTL,  "DOUBLE")
+
+ # The first 4 outputs are also mapped as the first 4 inputs
+ field(OUTA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):STATUS PP")
+ field(FTVA, "ULONG")
+ field(OUTB, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):M1 PP")
+ field(FTVB, "INT64")
+ field(OUTC, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):ELAPSED-TIME PP")
+ field(FTVC, "DOUBLE")
+ field(OUTD, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):COMMAND-TRIG PP")
+ field(FTVD, "ULONG")
+ field(OUTE, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):R1-PREV PP")
+ field(FTVE, "DOUBLE")
+ field(OUTF, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):IS_LOWRATE PP")
+ field(FTVF, "ULONG")
+ field(OUTF, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):MsgTxt PP")
+ field(FTVF, "CHAR")
+ field(NEVF, 40)
+}
+
+#######################
+# Channel interface
+#######################
+record(int64in, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):M1")
+{
+ field(DESC, "DAQ CH0, proton current")
+ field(EGU,  "cts")
+}
+
+# The proton rate take by a PV over the network, PV named indicated by $(REMOTE_RATE_PV) macro
+# It emulates Zero rate if either shutter is closed.
+record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):R1")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Rate of DAQ CH0 proton current")
+ field(INPA, "$(REMOTE_RATE_PV) CA")
+ field(INPB, "$(SHUTTER1_PV=0)")
+ field(INPC, "$(SHUTTER1_CLOSED_VAL=1)")
+ field(INPD, "$(SHUTTER2_PV=0)")
+ field(INPE, "$(SHUTTER2_CLOSED_VAL=1)")
+ # If either shutter is closed we have no rate
+ field(CALC, "B != C && D != E ? A : 0")
+ field(EGU,  "cts/sec")
+}
+
+# Store previous rate value, so we can average over the period
+record(ai, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):R1-PREV") {
+ field(DESC, "Previous rate of DAQ CH0 proton current")
+}
+
+# Emulate clearing channel
+# 0. set status to busy
+# 1. set elapsed time to 0
+# 2. set status to OK
+record(seq, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):C1")
+{
+ field(SELM, "All")
+ field(LNK0, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):S1 PP")
+ field(DO0, 1)
+ field(LNK1, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):M1 PP")
+ field(DO1, 0)
+ field(LNK2, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):S1 PP")
+ field(DO2, 0)
+}
+
+# Current Status of Channel
+# This is only to satify the interface.
+record(bi, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):S1")
+{
+ field(DESC, "Channel Status")
+ field(VAL,  0)
+ field(ZNAM, "OK")
+ field(ONAM, "CLEARING")
+}
+
+

db/sim_proton_current.db

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# This is database that provides a simulated proton current
+# for testing purposes.
+#
+record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):SIM_PROTON_CURR") {
+ field(SCAN, ".1 second")
+ field(CALC, "1500 + 101 * SIN(A)")
+ field(INPA, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PROTON_CURR_VAR PP")
+}
+
+record(calc, "$(INSTR)$(NAME):PROTON_CURR_VAR") {
+ field(CALC, "VAL + 0.001")
+}

scripts/daq_soft_proton.cmd

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#var softProtonDebug 1
+
+$(SET_SIM_MODE=#)dbLoadRecords("$(sinqDAQ_DB)sim_proton_current.db", "INSTR=$(INSTR), NAME=$(NAME), REMOTE_RATE_PV=NULL")
+$(SET_SIM_MODE=#)epicsEnvSet("REMOTE_RATE_PV", "$(INSTR)$(NAME):SIM_PROTON_CURR")
+
+dbLoadRecords("$(sinqDAQ_DB)daq_soft_proton.db", "INSTR=$(INSTR), NAME=$(NAME), REMOTE_RATE_PV=$(REMOTE_RATE_PV)")
+
+iocInit

src/daq.dbd

@@ -3,3 +3,5 @@
 #---------------------------------------------
 
 device(stringin, INST_IO, devDAQStringError, "devDAQStringError")
+function(processEmulatedCounter)
+variable("softProtonDebug", int)

src/daq_soft_proton.c

@@ -0,0 +1,290 @@
+/* This is a software emulated counterbox with 1 channel.
+ * It's stateless implementation with only a process function.
+ * All states that are need between the periods,
+ * are saved in the EPICS databases.
+ * Typically it is sampling the proton rate from HIPA via
+ * channel access.
+ */
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <dbDefs.h>
+#include <errlog.h>
+#include <aSubRecord.h>
+#include <epicsTypes.h>
+#include <epicsString.h>
+#include <registryFunction.h>
+#include <epicsExport.h>
+
+/* Sample rate */
+#define SOFT_PROTON_SAMPLE_RATE 0.1
+
+/* To allow setting debug pring from iocsh */
+static int softProtonDebug=0;
+epicsExportAddress(int, softProtonDebug);
+
+struct spc_internal {
+    epicsUInt32  status;
+    epicsInt64   monitor_count;
+    epicsFloat64 elapsed_time;
+    epicsUInt32  command_trig;
+    epicsInt32   threshold_ch;
+    epicsFloat64 threshold;
+    epicsFloat64 proton_rate;
+    epicsFloat64 prev_proton_rate;
+    epicsUInt32  count_type;
+    epicsFloat64 preset_count;
+    epicsFloat64 preset_time;
+    epicsFloat64 average_rate;
+};
+
+/* Enum with values for all commands
+ * this has to match the what's in the mbbi in the database*/
+enum commands {
+    NONE = 0,
+    COUNT_PRESET = 1,
+    TIME_PRESET = 2,
+    PAUSE = 3,
+    CONTINUE = 4,
+    STOP = 5,
+    FULL_RESET = 6
+};
+
+/* Enum with the possible statuses/states 
+ * this has to match the what's in the mbbi in the database*/
+enum status {
+    IDLE = 0,
+    COUNTING = 1,
+    LOW_RATE = 2,
+    PAUSED = 3,
+    INVALID = 4
+};
+
+
+int handleNoop(struct spc_internal* spc, epicsOldString* msg_text) {
+    const char* funcstr = "handleNoop";
+    //if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s was called\n", funcstr);
+    /* This shouldn't happen, but let's handle it just in case */
+    if (spc->status >= INVALID || spc->command_trig > FULL_RESET) {
+        strcpy(*msg_text, "INVALID STATE!");
+        errlogPrintf("%s: Status and/or command triggers are invalid \n"
+                     "Status has value %d, \n Command trigger has value %d\n",
+                     funcstr, spc->status, spc->command_trig);
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    /* Determine if we are idle and have received a noop command */
+    if (spc->status == IDLE) {
+        switch (spc->command_trig) {
+            case PAUSE:
+            case CONTINUE:
+            case STOP:
+                strcpy(*msg_text, "Can not PAUSE/CONTINUE/STOP during IDLE.");
+                printf("%s: %s\n"
+                       "Status has value %d, \n"
+                       "Command trigger has value %d\n", *msg_text,
+                       funcstr, spc->status, spc->command_trig);
+                return 1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* Determine if we are counting, low_rate or paused;
+     * and have received a noop command */
+    if (spc->status == COUNTING || spc->status == LOW_RATE ||
+            spc->status == PAUSED) {
+        switch (spc->command_trig) {
+            case COUNT_PRESET:
+            case TIME_PRESET:
+                strcpy(*msg_text, "Already counting");
+                printf("%s: Already counting can not start a new count\n"
+                       "Status has value %d, \n"
+                       "Command trigger has value %d\n",
+                       funcstr, spc->status, spc->command_trig);
+                 /* This case could be seen as OK.
+                  * Nothing is keeping us from continuing, so let's do that. */
+                return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* Determine if we are paused and a pause command */
+    if (spc->status == PAUSED && spc->command_trig == PAUSE) {
+        errlogPrintf("%s: Already paused\n"
+                     "Status has value %d, \n"
+                     "Command trigger has value %d\n",
+                     funcstr, spc->status, spc->command_trig);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    /* None of the noop cases detected */
+    return 0;
+}
+
+/*
+ * This function is called everytime the record processes.
+ * Even though this record can process arrays, we only use it with scalars.
+ */
+static long processEmulatedCounter(struct aSubRecord *psub)
+{
+    const char* funcstr = "processEmulatedCounter";
+    //if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s was called\n", funcstr);
+
+    /* Declare internal variable */
+    struct spc_internal spc_int;
+    struct spc_internal* spc = &spc_int;
+
+    /* Copy input values to a struct on the stack 
+     * to simplify creation of functions */
+    spc->status           = *(epicsUInt32*)psub->a;
+    spc->monitor_count    = *(epicsInt64*)psub->b;
+    spc->elapsed_time     = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->c;
+    spc->command_trig     = *(epicsUInt32*)psub->d;
+    spc->threshold_ch     = *(epicsInt32*)psub->e;
+    spc->threshold        = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->f;
+    spc->count_type       = *(epicsUInt32*)psub->g;
+    spc->preset_count     = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->h;
+    spc->preset_time      = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->i;
+    spc->prev_proton_rate = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->j;
+    spc->proton_rate      = *(epicsFloat64*)psub->l;
+
+    /* Get the pointer to output values only to increase readability. */
+    epicsUInt32*    status_out           = (epicsUInt32*)psub->vala;
+    epicsInt64*     monitor_count_out    = (epicsInt64*)psub->valb;
+    epicsFloat64*   elapsed_time_out     = (epicsFloat64*)psub->valc;
+    epicsUInt32*    command_trig_out     = (epicsUInt32*)psub->vald;
+    epicsFloat64*   prev_proton_rate_out = (epicsFloat64*)psub->vale;
+    epicsUInt32*    is_low_rate_out      = (epicsUInt32*)psub->valf;
+    epicsOldString* msg_txt_out          = (epicsOldString*)psub->valg;
+
+    /* Always no matter what, handle the rate */
+    /* - Calculate average rate */
+    spc->average_rate = (spc->proton_rate + spc->prev_proton_rate) / 2;
+    /* - Store current rate as previous rate  */
+    *prev_proton_rate_out = spc->proton_rate;
+
+    if (spc->average_rate < spc->threshold &&
+            spc->threshold_ch >= 1) { /* Channel 0 is interpreted as disabled  */
+        *is_low_rate_out = 1;
+    } else {
+        *is_low_rate_out = 0;
+    }
+
+    if (softProtonDebug) {
+        printf("%s: DEBUG:\n"
+               "Status has value %d, \n"
+               "Command trigger has value %d\n",
+               funcstr, spc->status, spc->command_trig);
+    }
+
+    /* Handle noop situations both valid and invalid */
+    if (handleNoop(spc, msg_txt_out))
+        /* We have state that prohibits further processing */
+        return 0;
+
+
+    /* Commands with priority always yielding IDLE status first */
+    if (spc->command_trig == FULL_RESET) {
+        strcpy(*msg_txt_out, "Full reset!");
+        /* Reset everything, done! */
+        *status_out = IDLE;
+        *monitor_count_out = 0;
+        *elapsed_time_out = 0.0;
+        *command_trig_out = NONE;
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Full reset done!\n", funcstr);
+        return 0;
+    } else if (spc->command_trig == STOP ||
+               (spc->status == IDLE && spc->command_trig == NONE)) {
+        /* Stop is always valid, retains everything except status goes to idle.
+         * This happens to be the same case as when IDLE and no command received */
+        *status_out = IDLE;
+        *command_trig_out = NONE;
+        *monitor_count_out = spc->monitor_count;
+        *elapsed_time_out = spc->elapsed_time;
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Case STOP or IDLE!\n", funcstr);
+        return 0;
+    } else if (((spc->status == COUNTING || spc->status == LOW_RATE)
+                && spc->command_trig == PAUSE) ||
+                (spc->status == PAUSED && spc->command_trig == NONE)) {
+        strcpy(*msg_txt_out, "Stopping!");
+        /* We are counting or at low rate and received pause.
+         * Also we are paused but have received no command, this
+         * is probably slightly inaccurate but simplifies things.*/
+        *status_out = PAUSED;
+        *command_trig_out = NONE;
+        *monitor_count_out = spc->monitor_count;
+        *elapsed_time_out = spc->elapsed_time;
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Case PAUSE!\n", funcstr);
+        return 0;
+    } else if (spc->status == IDLE &&
+            (spc->command_trig == COUNT_PRESET || spc->command_trig == TIME_PRESET)) {
+        /* Determine if we are idle but received a count command */
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Starting Count!\n", funcstr);
+        /* Sanity check that count type is properly stored */ 
+        if (spc->command_trig != spc->count_type) {
+            if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Count type not stored!\n", funcstr);
+            return -1;
+        }
+        /* Starting a new count
+         * Reset counter and time */
+        *monitor_count_out = 0;
+        *elapsed_time_out = 0;
+        *command_trig_out = NONE;
+        if (*is_low_rate_out == 1) {
+            *status_out = LOW_RATE;
+        } else {
+            *status_out = COUNTING;
+        }
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Case received COUNT command!\n", funcstr);
+        return 0;
+    } else if ((((spc->status == LOW_RATE && spc->command_trig == NONE) ||
+               (spc->status == LOW_RATE && spc->command_trig == CONTINUE)))
+                && *is_low_rate_out == 1) {
+        *status_out = LOW_RATE;
+        /* LOW_RATE or resuming from PAUSE */
+        *command_trig_out = NONE;
+        /* Maintain same counter and time*/
+        *monitor_count_out = spc->monitor_count;
+        *elapsed_time_out = spc->elapsed_time;
+        if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Case LOW_RATE!\n", funcstr);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    if (softProtonDebug) printf("%s: Case COUNT incremental cycle!\n", funcstr);
+    /* Ending up here means:
+     * 1. status == COUNTING && command_trig == NONE
+     * 2. status == COUNTING && command_trig == CONTINUE
+     * 3. status == PAUSED && command_trig == CONTINUE
+     * 4. status == LOW_RATE && command_trig in [ NONE, CONTINUE ] && high_rate
+     */
+
+    /* We may have had a command */
+    *command_trig_out = NONE;
+
+    /* Normal incremental count */
+    *status_out = COUNTING;
+
+    /* Increament counter and time */
+    *monitor_count_out = spc->monitor_count +
+        spc->average_rate * SOFT_PROTON_SAMPLE_RATE;
+    *elapsed_time_out = spc->elapsed_time + SOFT_PROTON_SAMPLE_RATE;
+
+    /* Check if we are below threshold */
+    if (*is_low_rate_out == 1) {
+        *status_out = LOW_RATE;
+    } else {
+        *status_out = COUNTING;
+    }
+
+    /* Check if count is finished normally.
+     * Higher priority than low rate */
+    if (/* Time based count finished */
+            (*elapsed_time_out >= spc->preset_time &&
+            spc->count_type == TIME_PRESET) ||
+        /* Monitor based count finished */
+            (*monitor_count_out >= spc->preset_count &&
+            spc->count_type == COUNT_PRESET)) {
+        *status_out = IDLE;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+/* Register these symbols for use by IOC code: */
+epicsRegisterFunction(processEmulatedCounter);