Abstract: An interface to adapt a computer to a real-time environment and that allows the adaptation procedures to be controlled using software. By allowing multiple adaptation parameters, a variety of clock rates and processor configurations can be supported. Since the parameters can be loaded by software, the difficulty of setting inconvenient and inaccessible physical configuration switches of the prior art is eliminated. Current passes through the variable resistances of the joystick potentiometers to charge capacitors. Timers measure the time required to charge the capacitors to a control voltage. This control voltage is determined by a DAC circuit which can be programmed via software. If the control voltage is lowered, the charging time is reduced.