Data Acquisition Manual for NeuLAND MRPC Experiments (FPGA version; RIO type III)

  How to start the data acquisition:    
 
preparations		    
1. switch on electronics    
  check network connections    
2. log in to urania ssh rpcdaq@urania -X
password: ***********		  
3. go to mbs directory cd mbsrun/neuland  
4. open and check "settings.txt" xemacs settings.txt &  
 
start data acquisition		    
5. log in to rio (in another window) telnet rio5
user name: rpcdaq
password: **********		  
6. go to mbs directory cd mbsrun/neuland  
7. start mbs mbs  
8. start data acquisition @start
sta acq -cle		  
  How to display scaler values    
1. log in to rio (in another window) telnet rio5
user name: rpcdaq
password: **********		  
2. go to mbs directory cd mbsrun/neuland  
3. start shm2file shm2file  
4. open terminal windows and log in to urania ssh rpcdaq@urania -X
user name: rpcdaq
password: ********		  
5. start shell script to display scalers scaler_neuland  
 
How to open and close files:		    
1. go into window running the mbs    
2. open file open file size=filesize -auto -disk  
3. check file size sho acq  
4. close file close file  
 
How to stop the data acquisition:		    
1. go into window running the mbs    
2. stop data acquisition sto acq  
3. shutdown Go4 online analysis    
4. stop mbs @stop  
5. leave mbs exit  
 
How to write an elog entry:		    
1. start firefox/iceweasel    
2. go to elog HZDR elog  
3. log in user name: rpcdaq
password: n*******		  
 
How to move the RPC		    
1. log on FWK73 rdesktop -u nrfdaq -d fzr -g 1240x900 -a 24 -k de -T FWK73 fwk73.ad.fz-rossendorf.de &
user: nrfdaq
password: ********		  
2. run MDrive programm   test
 
How to switch on/off NPS manually
NPS = NetworkPowerSwitch		    
1. run firefox    
2. open NPS website http://nps1203
3. log in user: admin
password: ********		  
4. switch on/off  
5. log out    
 
How to settings (settings.txt usage)		    
  The setting file contains scaler parameters for TDC, QDC and FPGA.  
1. log in to urania (in another window) ssh rpcdaq@urania -X
user name: rpcdaq
password: ********		  
2. go to mbs directory cd mbsrun/neuland  
3. open setting file xemacs setting.txt &  
4. edit and save    
 
Usage:
  • Scaler parameters
    scaling time = x -> Time of the scaling period in seconds. x = [0 ... 2^16-1]
    enable on the fly update = x -> Determines wether the data acquisition updates the scaling time or not. If the parameter is 1, the DAQ checks after every scaler readout the settings.txt file and reads the scaling time parameter. If the parameter has changes since the last time, the daq will update parameter in the according register. If the parameter is 0, the DAQ only read the scaling time during the initalization process.
  • Trigger logic
    The NeuLAND MRPC Trigger condition can be set on the fly via the settings file without changing the cabling. There are three trigger functions, Trigger function F1 builds a coincidence signal between the incoming signals via a logical AND. Trigger function F2 builds a coincidence signal between the incoming signals via a logical OR. Trigger function F3 connects the trigger functions F1 and F2. The timing of the signals has to be adjusted before they go into the FPGA. The FPGA does not delay the signals.
    Trigger function F3 = x -> F3 defines the logical connection betweenthe trigger functions F1 and F2
    If F3 = 0 -> Trigger = (F1) or (F2)
    If F3 = 1 -> Trigger = (F1) and (F2)
    Trigger ... = (A B) -> The parameters determine the trigger functions F1 and F2.
    If A is 1, the corresponding Signal is part of the trigger function F1. If A = 0, the corresponding Signal has no effect on the trigger function F1.
    If B is 1, the corresponding Signal is part of the trigger function F2. If B = 0, the corresponding Signal has no effect on the trigger function F2.
    F1 = (not((not S1) and AS1)) and (not((not S2) and AS2)) and ... and (not((not RF) and ARF))
    F2 = (S1 and BS1) or (S2 and BS2) or ... or (RF and BRF)
  • TDC parameters
    TDC search window width = x -> Set width of the TDC match window in ns; step size = 25ns
    TDC search window offset = x -> Set offset of the TDC match window in ns with respect to the trigger itself, i.e. the time difference between the start of the match window and the trigger time; step size = 25ns
  • QDC parameters
    QDC 0 gate = x -> Set the gate width for QDC 0 (scintillator signals) correspondig to the formula below.
    QDC 1 gate = x -> Set the fate width for QDC 1 (RPC signals) correspondig to the formula below.
    width = 25 ns + x · 1 ns
    x can be set in the range from 0 to 255.
  • FPGA parameters
    FPGA Scaler = x ->Enable/Disable the readout of scaler values.
    FPGA reload = x ->If the parameter is 1, the User FPGA load its programming during initialization process.
    macro pulse length = x ->Set the width of the macro pulse window in micro seconds.
    macro pulse mask = x ->If the parameter is 1, the FPGA relays the macro pulse signal to the logic. If is is 0, the FPGA inhibits the signal.
    maximum block window length = x ->Set the maximum width of the block window in micro seconds. The parameter defines only the upper limit of the window width.
    block window enabke = x ->If the parameter is 1, the random block window function is enabled. If it is 0, the function is disabled.
    Mask Port ... = x -> Each input of the V1495 can be masked. Therefore each signal is connected with its according bit in the mask register via a logical AND. If the bit is 1, the signal passes. If the bit is 0, the signal is blocked.
Please keep the format of the lines. In the box below is an examplary settings.txt. (Every line is necessary, the blank ones too. Please copy the whole blue text.)		  
    Settings for NeuLAND MRPC data acquisition

scaling time = 1
enable on the fly update = 1
Trigger function F3 = 1
Trigger S1 = (1 0)
Trigger S2 = (1 0)
Trigger S3 = (0 0)
Trigger S4 = (0 0)
Trigger S5 = (0 0)
Trigger S6 = (0 0)
Trigger S7 = (0 0)
Trigger S8 = (0 0)
Trigger S9 = (0 0)
Trigger S10 = (0 0)
Trigger RPC_OR1 = (0 0)
Trigger RPC_OR2 = (0 0)
Trigger RPC_OR3 = (0 0)
Trigger RPC_OR4 = (0 0)
Trigger RPC_OR = (0 0)
Trigger RF = (0 0)

TDC search window width = 200
TDC search window offset = 100
QDC 0 gate = 28
QDC 1 gate = 128
FPGA Scaler = 1
FPGA reload = 0
makro pulse length = 850
makro pulse mask = 1
maximum block window length = 100
block window enable = 0
Mask Port A = 0xFFFFFFFF
Mask Port B = 0xFFFFFFFF
Mask Port C = 0xFFFFFFFF
Mask Port D = 0xFFFFFFFF
Mask Port E = 0xFFFFFFFF
Mask Port F = 0xFFFFFFFF

V812 CFD 0
trhl: 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
deadtime: 50 50
width: 100 100
inhibit: 0xFFFF
majority: 1		  

Trouble shooting
The Go4 online analysis hangs up during the initialization if the stream server on the rio does not run correct. In this case perform the following procedure:

  • stop and close all instances of the Go4 online analysis.
  • stop data acquisition and mbs
  • leave mbs and reset the RIO with the resl or resa command

Now the RIO is reset. With restarting the data acquisition the Go4 online analysis should connect to the stream server. If it still hangs up you have to reboot the rio.

  • repeat the aforementioned procedure
  • reboot the RIO
    log in as super user with su command
    go to sbin directory and use reboot

See also Data Acquisition Manual for Nuclear Physics Experiments from A. Wagner.

See also MBS guide from R. Kotte.