Clusters of 16/32 bit minicomputers in high energy physics experiments at CERN

A description is given of multiprocessor on-line systems, based on NORD computers, for large physics experiments at CERN. In complex experiments the data acquisition and control functions may be performed by different CPUs in a dual 16-bit NORD-100 computer system. Some configurations include a 32-bit NORD-50 processor, allowing large analysis programs to be implemented and executed in the on-line system. Several examples from currently running CERN physics experiments are given.