0000000000567593
AUTHOR
U. Larsson
Management and Control of the Read Out Processors (tpps) of the Aleph Time Projection Chamber
The readout of the Aleph time projection chamber (TPC) relies on a set of 72 time projection processors (TPPs), which are based on a Motorola 68020 microprocessor running a real-time operating system. The advanced processing capabilities of the TPPs allow them to perform in parallel a number of tasks, both during and outside of data acquisition, which are outlined. The management and control of such a large number of intelligent devices is presented. The discussion covers the hardware configuration of the TPPs; the software running the TPPs; their management, status, and control; exception handling and message logging; and the TPP monitoring tasks. >
The read-out processors of the Aleph time projection chamber and their performance
The Aleph detector is installed on the LEP electron-positron storage ring. Its central tracking detector, a time projection chamber (TPC), has about 50000 channels of sampling electronics. The digitized signals are processed by 72 double-width Fastbus modules built around an MC 68020 processor. The time projection processor is described, and the solutions, both hardware and software, adopted to run and manage such a complex system in a Fastbus-VAX environment are discussed. Practical experience with the system is reported. >
THE FASTBUS READ-OUT SYSTEM FOR THE ALEPH TIME PROJECTION CHAMBER
The readout system for the Aleph central tracking detector, a large time projection chamber (TPC), consists of more than 100 FASTBUS crates with approximately 1000 FASTBUS modules. The detector and its associated electronics are briefly presented, followed by a more detailed description of the readout and control system. The discussion covers the sector readout, electronics calibration, front-end data acquisition, data pipelining, and service request handling. Experiences with the system are discussed. >