A standard format for data interchange used to transfer pulse height data on magnetic media between laboratories is provided. The terms used in file records are defined. The contents consist only of ASCII characters and can be transmitted over networks and other direct links. Example programs to read data in FORTRAN, BASIC and C are provided.

This standard applies to multichannel pulse height data used in nuclear spectroscopy. It is independent of the source of the data, the device which wrote the data, the device which reads the data, and the medium containing the data.

The purpose of this standard is to provide a format for data interchange that can be used to transfer multichannel pulse height data between laboratories, and to distribute this data for testing purposes. In order to be compatible with a large number of computer languages, computers, and hardware links, the complete file must be written in ASCII. It is intended that these files be converted to the local format before being used.