BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York
An IIDC/DCAM camera is used to image the RHIC beams as they pass through a hydrogen jet. The data is transferred over 1394 to a computer running linux. A software process on that computer collects the individual frames and packages them into parameters within the RHIC control system's Accelerator Device Object framework. This information is packaged to continuously update two primary types of clients: One type is responsible for near-real-time display of the images; useful in comfort displays, etc. The second is responsible for collecting data used in analysis of beam dynamics and properties like luminosity.
BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York
Brookhaven National Laboratory's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) uses many commercially available instruments - for example spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, digital volt meters, signal generators - as integral parts of instrumentation and control systems. Typically these systems are remotely controlled. Using commercial instruments has many benefits. Manufactures have the skill, knowledge, and experience to produce high quality products. The price performance ratio is hard to duplicate. There are also disadvantages. Proprietary interfaces, single platform drivers, and reliable operation provide challenges for implementation and unattended operation. Several of the systems used at RHIC will be described. Their issues and solutions will be presented.
