PCaPAC2014 - Table of Session: FCO2 (User Interfaces)

Paper

Title

Page

Renovating and Upgrading the Web2cToolkit Suite: A Status Report

234

R. Bacher
DESY, Hamburg, Germany

Web2cToolkit is a collection of Web services. It enables scientists, operators or service technicians to supervise and operate accelerators and beam lines through the World Wide Web. In addition, it provides users with a platform for communication and the logging of data and actions. Recently a novel service, especially designed for mobile devices, has been added. Besides the standard mouse-based interaction it provides a touch- and voice-based user interface. Web2cToolkit is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and upgrading process. Real WYSIWYG-editors are now available to generate and configure synoptic and history displays, and an interface based on 3D-motion and gesture recognition has been implemented. Also the multi-language support and the security of the communication between Web client and server have been improved substantially. The paper reports the complete status of this work and outlines upcoming development.

Slides FCO201 [1.318 MB]

FCO202

OpenGL-Based Data Analysis in Virtualized Self-Service Environments

237

V. Mauch, M. Bonn, S.A. Chilingaryan, A. Kopmann, W. Mexner, D. Ressmann
KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany
Modern data analysis applications for 2D/3D data samples apply complex visual output features which are often based on OpenGL, a multi-platform API for rendering vector graphics. They demand special computing workstations with a corresponding CPU/GPU power, enough main memory and fast network interconnects for a performant remote data access. For this reason, users depend heavily on available free workstations, both temporally and locally. The provision of virtual machines (VMs) accessible via a remote connection could avoid this inflexibility. However, the automatic deployment, operation and remote access of OpenGL-capable VMs with professional visualization applications is a non-trivial task. In this paper, we discuss a concept for a flexible analysis infrastructure that will be part in the project ASTOR, which is the abbreviation for “Arthropod Structure revealed by ultra-fast Tomography and Online Reconstruction”. We present an Analysis-as-a-Service (AaaS) approach based on the on-demand allocation of VMs with dedicated GPU cores and a corresponding analysis environment to provide a cloud-like analysis service for scientific users.

Slides FCO202 [1.126 MB]

FCO203

Making it all Work for Operators

240

I. Križnar
Cosylab, Ljubljana, Slovenia
E. Hertle, E. Huttel, W. Mexner, A.-S. Müller, N.J. Smale
KIT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
S. Marsching
Aquenos GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany

Funding: ANKA Synchrotron Light Source, KIT, Karlsruhe
As the control system of the ANKA synchrotron radiation source at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) is being slowly upgraded it can become, at key stages, temporarily a mosaic of old and new panels while the operator learns to move across to the new system. With the development of general purpose tools, and careful planning of both the final and transition GUIs, we have been able to actually simplify the working environment for machine operators. In this paper we will explain concepts, guides and tools in which GUIs for operators are developed and deployed at ANKA.

Slides FCO203 [0.663 MB]

FCO204

How the COMETE Framework Enables the Development of GUI Applications Connected to Multiple Data Sources

243

R. Girardot, A. Buteau, M. Ounsy, K.S. Saintin, G. Viguier
SOLEIL, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

Today at SOLEIL, our end users requires that GUI applications display data coming from various sources: live data from the Tango [1] control system, archived data stored in the Tango archiving databases and scientific measurement data stored in HDF5 files. Moreover they would like to use the same collection of widgets for the different data sources to be accessed. On the other side, for GUI application developers, the complexity of data source handling had to be hidden. The COMETE [2] framework has been developed to fulfil these allowing GUI developers to build high quality, modular and reusable scientific oriented GUI applications, with consistent look and feel for end users. COMETE offers some key features to software developers: - A data connection mechanism to link the widget to the data source - Smart refreshing service - Easy-to-use and succinct API - Components can be implemented in AWT, SWT and SWING flavors This paper will present the work organization, the software architecture and design of the whole system. We’ll also introduce the COMETE eco-system and the available applications for data visualisation.
[1] TANGO http://www.tango-controls.org
[2] COMETE ICALPEPCS 2011 WEMAU012

Slides FCO204 [1.048 MB]

FCO205

Archive Playback - Post Mortem Data Analysis

J. Penning, M.R. Clausen
DESY, Hamburg, Germany
C. Mein
University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

The cryogenic systems at DESY are controlled by the process control system EPICS. New cryogenic plants and new test facilities for the European XFEL are currently beginning their routine operations. Other components of the XFEL are under construction or currently in the commissioning phase. Diagnostic analysis of events in the system is getting more difficult due to the complex environment. Current post mortem analysis is typically carried out by retrieving archived data and plotting the results in a trend plot. The disadvantage of this approach is that you only see those channels which are configured as potential candidates for a good analysis. Channels which might actually explain the root cause of the event stay out of sight. We have developed mechanisms to play back the archived data directly into the data stream of the operator console. This way the data get displayed into the synoptic displays in the same manner the operator is used to. This way the analysis of events is eased. Within a given time period it is possible to run forward or backward with a time-slider. First results will be shown.
The work is carried out as a master thesis at the university of Hamburg.

Slides FCO205 [0.908 MB]

FCO206

PANIC, a Suite for Visualization, Logging and Notification of Incidents

246

S. Rubio-Manrique, F. Becheri, G. Cuní, D. Fernandez-Carreiras, C. Pascual-Izarra, Z. Reszela
CELLS-ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain

PANIC is a suite of python applications focused on visualization, logging and notification of events occurring in ALBA [1] Synchrotron Control System. Build on top of the PyAlarm Tango [2] Device Server it provides an API and a set of graphic tools to visualize the status of the declared alarms, create new alarm processes and enable notification services like SMS, email, data recording, sound or execution of Tango commands. The user interface provides visual debugging of complex alarm behaviors, that can be declared using single-line python expressions. This article describes the architecture of the PANIC suite, the alarm declaration syntax and the integration of alarm widgets in Taurus [3] user interfaces.
[1] www.cells.es
[2] www.tango-controls.org
[3] www.taurus-scada.org

Slides FCO206 [1.875 MB]

Paper	Title	Page
FCO201	Renovating and Upgrading the Web2cToolkit Suite: A Status Report	234
	R. Bacher DESY, Hamburg, Germany
	Web2cToolkit is a collection of Web services. It enables scientists, operators or service technicians to supervise and operate accelerators and beam lines through the World Wide Web. In addition, it provides users with a platform for communication and the logging of data and actions. Recently a novel service, especially designed for mobile devices, has been added. Besides the standard mouse-based interaction it provides a touch- and voice-based user interface. Web2cToolkit is currently undergoing an extensive renovation and upgrading process. Real WYSIWYG-editors are now available to generate and configure synoptic and history displays, and an interface based on 3D-motion and gesture recognition has been implemented. Also the multi-language support and the security of the communication between Web client and server have been improved substantially. The paper reports the complete status of this work and outlines upcoming development.
	Slides FCO201 [1.318 MB]

FCO202	OpenGL-Based Data Analysis in Virtualized Self-Service Environments	237
	V. Mauch, M. Bonn, S.A. Chilingaryan, A. Kopmann, W. Mexner, D. Ressmann KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany
	Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany Modern data analysis applications for 2D/3D data samples apply complex visual output features which are often based on OpenGL, a multi-platform API for rendering vector graphics. They demand special computing workstations with a corresponding CPU/GPU power, enough main memory and fast network interconnects for a performant remote data access. For this reason, users depend heavily on available free workstations, both temporally and locally. The provision of virtual machines (VMs) accessible via a remote connection could avoid this inflexibility. However, the automatic deployment, operation and remote access of OpenGL-capable VMs with professional visualization applications is a non-trivial task. In this paper, we discuss a concept for a flexible analysis infrastructure that will be part in the project ASTOR, which is the abbreviation for “Arthropod Structure revealed by ultra-fast Tomography and Online Reconstruction”. We present an Analysis-as-a-Service (AaaS) approach based on the on-demand allocation of VMs with dedicated GPU cores and a corresponding analysis environment to provide a cloud-like analysis service for scientific users.
	Slides FCO202 [1.126 MB]

FCO203	Making it all Work for Operators	240
	I. Križnar Cosylab, Ljubljana, Slovenia E. Hertle, E. Huttel, W. Mexner, A.-S. Müller, N.J. Smale KIT, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany S. Marsching Aquenos GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany
	Funding: ANKA Synchrotron Light Source, KIT, Karlsruhe As the control system of the ANKA synchrotron radiation source at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) is being slowly upgraded it can become, at key stages, temporarily a mosaic of old and new panels while the operator learns to move across to the new system. With the development of general purpose tools, and careful planning of both the final and transition GUIs, we have been able to actually simplify the working environment for machine operators. In this paper we will explain concepts, guides and tools in which GUIs for operators are developed and deployed at ANKA.
	Slides FCO203 [0.663 MB]

FCO204	How the COMETE Framework Enables the Development of GUI Applications Connected to Multiple Data Sources	243
	R. Girardot, A. Buteau, M. Ounsy, K.S. Saintin, G. Viguier SOLEIL, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
	Today at SOLEIL, our end users requires that GUI applications display data coming from various sources: live data from the Tango [1] control system, archived data stored in the Tango archiving databases and scientific measurement data stored in HDF5 files. Moreover they would like to use the same collection of widgets for the different data sources to be accessed. On the other side, for GUI application developers, the complexity of data source handling had to be hidden. The COMETE [2] framework has been developed to fulfil these allowing GUI developers to build high quality, modular and reusable scientific oriented GUI applications, with consistent look and feel for end users. COMETE offers some key features to software developers: - A data connection mechanism to link the widget to the data source - Smart refreshing service - Easy-to-use and succinct API - Components can be implemented in AWT, SWT and SWING flavors This paper will present the work organization, the software architecture and design of the whole system. We’ll also introduce the COMETE eco-system and the available applications for data visualisation. [1] TANGO http://www.tango-controls.org [2] COMETE ICALPEPCS 2011 WEMAU012
	Slides FCO204 [1.048 MB]

FCO205	Archive Playback - Post Mortem Data Analysis
	J. Penning, M.R. Clausen DESY, Hamburg, Germany C. Mein University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
	The cryogenic systems at DESY are controlled by the process control system EPICS. New cryogenic plants and new test facilities for the European XFEL are currently beginning their routine operations. Other components of the XFEL are under construction or currently in the commissioning phase. Diagnostic analysis of events in the system is getting more difficult due to the complex environment. Current post mortem analysis is typically carried out by retrieving archived data and plotting the results in a trend plot. The disadvantage of this approach is that you only see those channels which are configured as potential candidates for a good analysis. Channels which might actually explain the root cause of the event stay out of sight. We have developed mechanisms to play back the archived data directly into the data stream of the operator console. This way the data get displayed into the synoptic displays in the same manner the operator is used to. This way the analysis of events is eased. Within a given time period it is possible to run forward or backward with a time-slider. First results will be shown. The work is carried out as a master thesis at the university of Hamburg.
	Slides FCO205 [0.908 MB]

FCO206	PANIC, a Suite for Visualization, Logging and Notification of Incidents	246
	S. Rubio-Manrique, F. Becheri, G. Cuní, D. Fernandez-Carreiras, C. Pascual-Izarra, Z. Reszela CELLS-ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
	PANIC is a suite of python applications focused on visualization, logging and notification of events occurring in ALBA [1] Synchrotron Control System. Build on top of the PyAlarm Tango [2] Device Server it provides an API and a set of graphic tools to visualize the status of the declared alarms, create new alarm processes and enable notification services like SMS, email, data recording, sound or execution of Tango commands. The user interface provides visual debugging of complex alarm behaviors, that can be declared using single-line python expressions. This article describes the architecture of the PANIC suite, the alarm declaration syntax and the integration of alarm widgets in Taurus [3] user interfaces. [1] www.cells.es [2] www.tango-controls.org [3] www.taurus-scada.org
	Slides FCO206 [1.875 MB]