#   FTPC procedures for Y2005

![](media/image1.gif){width="0.4166666666666667in"
height="0.4166666666666667in"}This procedure manual is updated whenever
the procedures change. Consult the \"FTPC detector operator home page\"
for the very latest information.
(http://www.star.bnl.gov/STAR/html/ftpc_l/operator.html)

 

Date of last update: December 13, 2004

Janet Seyboth - MPI\
Terry Tarnowsky - Purdue

## To Access the 2005 FTPC Electronic ShiftLog:

Go to FTPC Detector Operator homepage.\
Select link for \"Run Operations\".\
Under \"Shift and Run Records\" select \"Electronic ShiftLog 2005\".\
Select \"Start the editor\".\
Choose \"FTPC\" from the list of subsystems.\
Make ShiftLog entry.

 

### General introduction

    The STAR FTPC (Forward Time Projection Chamber) is a cylindrical TPC
with radial drift using an Ar-CO~2~ 50%-50% gas mixture. Oxygen content
in the gas has to be kept strictly below 10 ppm to avoid a significant
absorption of the charge of the electron clouds during their drift to
the anodes.

 The drift field is generated by the HV electrode (cathode) at the inner
radius of the cylinder and terminated by the field cages at the
cylinder\'s ends.

A potential of -10 kV is applied to the cathode and distributed to the
field cages in order to generate such a field.

The signals are generated by the collection of the charge induced by the
drifting electron clouds, formed by the passage of charged particles in
the gas, at the anodes located at the outer radius of the cylinder.

The amplification stage is accomplished by sense wires in proximity to
the anodes, kept at a typical voltage of +1800V.

A gating grid is also placed in proximity to the anodes, to avoid charge
accumulation in the drift region. The typical potential of the open gate
is -76V.

Two such detectors are installed in STAR, covering the -4 \< η \< -2.5
(east) and 2.5 \< η \< 4 (west) pseudorapidity windows.

In summary, the two detectors are operated by the following apparatus:

    - gas system (Ar-CO~2~ 50%-50%, O~2~ \< 10 ppm);

    - cooling system (to cool down the electronics)

    - field cage (cathode) power supply (-10kV, 1 channel/ detector,
Heinzinger);

    - anode sense wires (anodes) power supply (+1800V, 6
channels/detector, Le Croy);

    - gating grid power supply (-76V open, 4 channels/ detector, UCLA);

    - electronic power supplies (10 units/detector, LBL).\
 

    The STAR-FTPC detector can be fully operated by remote control at
the FTPC console (cassini.starp) in the STAR control room. The exception
is the [gas
system](http://www.star.bnl.gov/STAR/html/ftpc_l/Operations/Figures/gas1.jpg)
located in the gas mixing room.

The FTPC\'s is based on the EPICS infrastructure as the others STAR
control systems. It is a complex and delicate system, interfacing with
many different hardware parts. Sometime it may seem slow, but the
emphasis had to be put on safety of operation. The obvious general
recommendation is therefore to be patient and mindful when operating the
control system.

    Once you are at the FTPC console you should see the FTPC control and
monitor systems main page (main control window):

![](media/image2.png){width="7.269444444444445in"
height="2.8090277777777777in"}

##### Figure 1: The Main Control window.

**If this image is not on the screen** you should verify that you have
an open window on the slow control state machine (sc3.starp.bnl.gov).
The sc3 username (sysuser) and password should be known by your shift
leader. If not, contact a member of the FTPC or the Slow Control group.
To start the FTPC control and monitor system just **type \"ftpc\" on the
sc3.starp.bnl.gov window.**

-   If the \"main control window\" still does not appear, somebody else
    is using it. Please, check who else is working on the FTPC Slow
    Control. You can always force the window by deleting the FTPC
    lock-file from the sc3.starp.bnl.gov window:

cd   epics/R3.12.2-LBL.4/FTPCtopApp

rm   /star/sc/users/sysuser/epics/R3.12.2-LBL.4/FTPCtopApp/ftpc_lock

### Preliminary checks

    At the beginning of each shift the detector operator should check
the [FTPC operator home
page](http://www.star.bnl.gov/STAR/html/ftpc_l/operator.html) (STAR home
-\> Experiment -\> Subsystems -\> FTPC -\> Detector operator home page)
and should go through a series of checks (a
[checklist](http://www.star.bnl.gov/STAR/html/ftpc_l/Operations/Checklist/checklist.html)
will be made available by FTPC people on the web), to ascertain that all
parts of the system are in a proper state and ready to operate. If this
is not the case the operator should take action where possible or call
the FTPC experts immediately and alert the shift leader.

#### Interlock status

    Next the interlock status should be checked. The status of the
interlocks affecting the FTPC is shown on the main control window. A
green light signifies that the interlock is giving permission for
operation.

**If one or more interlocks failed (red light on) the detector cannot be
operated.**

-   The \"Electronic permissive\" and the \"Detector leak\" entries in
    our interlock frame reflect the status of the STAR General Interlock
    System (SGIS). In case one of these interlocks failed (red light on)
    nothing can be done by an FTPC operator, but the shift leader should
    be notified in case he/she is not yet aware of the situation.

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-   If the \"HV permissive from gas\" interlock fails (red light) you
    should immediately notify one of the FTPC experts and the shift
    leader. In this case all the high voltages of the FTPCs are turned
    off automatically and the detector is not operational.

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-   If the \"LV permissive from cooling\" interlock fails (red light)
    you should make sure that the cooling system and its circulation
    pump switches are set to their \"On\" status. After turning on the
    cooling system wait for the interlock to clear (it takes few
    seconds). If the \"LV permissive from cooling\" interlock is still
    triggered (red light) cycle the power on the cooling system once
    more. If the interlock condition persists, alert one of the FTPC
    experts immediately and notify the shift leader

#### Cooling system

The cooling system is controlled by the \"Cooling System\" frame on the
main control window.

It is a leakless system maintained below atmospheric pressure. It uses
the modified chilled water (MCW) supply to cool the FTPC cooling water
in a secondary circuit.

### 

### Monitoring relevant quantities

    Relevant quantities can be monitored by selecting the appropriate
monitor window from the \"Monitor\" scroll down menu in the main control
window (Figure 1). Detailed information is given in the following
windows:

    - Gas;

    - Temperatures and Pressures;

    - Readout Board Voltages;

    - Anode Voltages and Currents;

    - Experimental Hall Temperature and Humidity;

    - Summary.

-       The **\"Summary\" window should ALWAYS** accompany the main
    control window on the computer screen.

        To open this window, go to the \"Monitor\" \--\> and click on
\"Summary\" option.

![](media/image3.png){width="6.918055555555555in"
height="5.608333333333333in"}

##### Figure 2: The \"Summary\" window in a typical \"Physics\" configuration.

    In this window are shown the anode sense wire (anodes) measured
voltages and currents, the HV electrode (cathode) measured voltages and
currents, the pressures and temperatures of the cooling water, the gas
temperature at the detectors, the gas flow and the O~2~ content, the
gating grid voltages, and the temperature and humidity in the
experimental hall.

In the top left corner of the window is shown the status of the several
parts of the detector. As a general rule numbers are presented in
colors: yellow signifies a low severity alarm, red a high severity alarm
and green the normal range of operation. A number in black color means
that that specific parameter is not yet connected to an alarm condition.

The update of the values in the monitor windows takes few seconds. Also,
some variables update faster than others.

### Configuration

    Normally the detector should stay \"ON\", and the detector operator
only has to change its \"configuration\". The detector can be configured
for ***Physics, Laser, Pedestal, Stand by***, or ***Magnet ramp***
modes. The only difference between these configurations is the voltage
of the anodes and the status (on/off) of the FEEs and the readout
boards. When the detector is turned on the cathode and the gating grid
voltages are on in every configuration.\
    To achieve the proper configuration select it from the **scroll down
menu on the left side of the main control window** and then **press the
configure button**. If the detector is \'\'ON\'\' the anode voltage will
ramp to the proper value, otherwise the voltage set point will be stored
and be ready to be loaded as soon as the anode voltages are turned on.

-   The low voltage power supplies are always on, unless the detector is
    configured in \"magnet ramp\" mode.

-   **After the magnet ramp is completed** the detector operator should
    **change the configuration to \"Stand by\'\'** or to any pertinent
    value, but not leave it in the \"Magnet ramp\" mode. In this way the
    electronic will be turned on, temperatures and pressures will be
    readable and the detector will stabilize its temperature.

-   During RHIC filling and dumping or during short shut downs the
    detector should be configured in \"stand by\" mode.

### Turning off the detector

    This operation should be performed only when a long shut down of
RHIC is foreseen (\> 1 shift) or a possible danger to the detector is
foreseen but is not immediate: an incoming thunderstorm associated with
RHIC turning off, possibility of beam hitting the detector, before a
system reboot if possible, or any other dangerous situation communicated
by the shift leader or the main control room (read the \"Emergency shut
down\" paragraph for procedures in case of an immediate danger).\
    Has to be emphasized that the standard status of the detector is
\"ON\".

-   Also, the cooling system should always be left ON

1.  The easy and preferred way to turn off the detector is to press the
    \"OFF\" button in the \"Turn on/off\" frame in the main control
    window. The operator should then observe the voltages to go to zero
    from the summary window and the messages scrolling on the main
    control window message frame to ascertain that the turn off process
    is being accomplished properly. The turn off process takes about 2-3
    minutes. When the detector is turned off water pressures and
    temperatures are not readable and are set to zero.

 

2.  Another way to turn off the detector is to access the \"Quick
    on/off\" window through the \"Control\" scroll down menu on the main
    control window. From this window all the FTPC subsystems can be
    switched on/off separately.

![](media/image4.png){width="3.8333333333333335in" height="2.34375in"}

##### Figure 3: The \"Quick on/off\" window.

-       For this second method (Quick on/off) **the order in which
    systems should be switched off is indicated by the direction of the
    red arrow**, beginning at the bottom and proceeding upward. It is
    important to follow this order to avoid subjecting more delicate
    parts to unnecessary stress by the induced currents in the turn off
    process. When using this method to turn off the detector care should
    be taken to ascertain that, for each subsystem, the operation is
    completed before switching the next.

3.  As a third option to turn off the detector all channels of all
    subsystems can be switched off separately by selecting the proper
    control window from the \"Control\" menu in the main control window.
    This option should be generally left to the detector experts.

### Emergency shut down

    The emergency shut down is NOT a healthy procedure for the detector,
and should be avoided whenever is possible.

To perform an emergency shut down press the corresponding button on the
main control window. The following window will appear:\
 

![](media/image5.png){width="7.375in" height="1.09375in"}

##### Figure 4a: The emergency shut down confirmation window.

The main control window will disappear. To shut down press the \"Yes\"
button. To go back to the main control window press the \"Go-back\"
button. During this process the windows might get the wrong color map.
To restore the proper colors they have to be slightly dragged.
Situations that may require an emergency shut down include a sudden
increase significantly beyond the standard operating range (alarms off
and beeping) of all or most of the anode and/or cathode currents of the
detectors.

Once the emergency shut down procedure has started all voltages will be
zero within few seconds, and afterwards the control program will set all
operating parameters to the standard \"Off\" status.

If the **emergency shut down was required** by a specific FTPC problem,
or when in doubt, **notify immediately**, by phone or in person, the
FTPC experts, otherwise just send them an e-mail.

Emergency shut down should be notified.

### Turning on the detector

-   **    Make sure that the STAR magnet is not ramping!**

1.  Similarly to the turn off procedure this action can be performed
    through a single button operation (which is the preferred way to do
    it), pressing the \"ON\" button from the \"Turn on/off\" frame in
    the main control window. This procedure takes about 3-5 minutes to
    complete. After completion the detector will be in the state defined
    in the \"Configuration\" menu.

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2.  The other option is to open the \"Quick on/off\" window (Figure 3)
    from the \"Control\" scroll down menu in the main control window and
    to proceed turning on the subsystems along the green (ON) line. In
    this case care has to be taken to insure that one action is
    completed before stepping to the next. When going through this
    procedure using the \"Quick on/off\" panel the detector
    configuration is overwritten and all components will be turned on.

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3.  All channels of all subsystem can also be switched on individually
    by selecting the appropriate control window from the \"Control\"
    scroll down menu in the main control window. However this is an
    option that should be left to the detector experts. During the turn
    on procedure the operator should observe carefully the message frame
    in the main control window and the monitor summary window to verify
    that the procedure is being executed properly.

### Computer system

    The control system makes use of 4 computers:

       - the MVME 167 control processor in the FTPC VME crate (#71) on
the south platform;

      - the slow control state machine (sc3.starp.bnl.gov)

      - the FTPC WINDOW NT PC (bond.starp.bnl.gov) in the gas mixing
room at the FTPC gas rack;

      - the FTPC control console (cassini.starp.bnl.gov).\
  The MVME 167 is the processor where all the control and monitoring
tasks are running. It sends all the parameter information to a parameter
database that is managed by the slow control state machine.

Data coming from the gas system are read out by the FTPC WINDOW NT PC
and delivered to the MVME 167 through the online computer. They are then
processed by the MVMe 167 and the parameters are sent back to the
parameters database on the slow control state machine.

Finally the Graphical User Interface of the control software is run on
the slow control state machine from the FTPC control console.

#### Rebooting

    The possibility of a computer crash cannot be excluded a priori. If
the MVME 167 CPU crashes all parameter fields depending on it will be
shown in white color on the graphical interface.

![](media/image6.png){width="7.395833333333333in"
height="2.865972222222222in"}

##### Figure 4: The main control window after a crash of the MVME167 processor.

In this case a reboot of the MVME 167 is urged. From the main control
window press the \"Reboot\" button. The following window will appear:

![](media/image7.png){width="5.96875in" height="1.09375in"}

##### Figure 4a: The reboot confirmation window.

The main control window will disappear. To reboot press the \'\'Yes\'\'
button. To go back to the main control window press the \'\'Go-back\'\'
button. During this process the windows might get the wrong color map.
To restore the proper colors they have to be slightly dragged. **If a
window with the following message appears:**\
 \
 

**Mon Jun 18 13:51:00 EDT 2001**

**     medmCAExceptionHandlerCb:**

**     channel name: cu_vme71_control_boB2**

**     message: Could not perform a database value put for that
channel**\
 

  **\... ignore it, close it and try the \"Reboot\" button again until
the window does not appear anymore** (although often it works straight
away at times it may need five or more attempts). At this point the
operator can be sure that the reboot is actually occurring. It takes
about 3 minutes, but it might take more, depending on the traffic on the
network. Another method to reboot the MVME 167 is to enter the \"VME
STATUS\" screen which can be opened from the main control window:

![](media/image8.png){width="5.507638888888889in"
height="4.529861111111111in"}

##### Figure 4: VME status window.

and to turn the VME crate off (wait for the voltage indicators to go to
zero), wait a few instants and then turn it on again.

-   The reboot is not an ordinary operation, and the FTPC experts should
    be notified by e-mail of any reboot.

-   After the reboot the system should be brought again to its original
    (on or off) state by operating the standard \"turn on\" or \"turn
    off\" procedure. This is only to make sure that all the parameters
    are in the proper settings for the present running conditions and
    were not altered by the reboot process.

-   If the FTPC console (cassini.starp.bnl.gov) crashes it can be
    rebooted in the standard way. The operator will then have to log in
    again using the username (operator) and password written on the
    computer.

-   If the gas parameters are not updated the status of the FTPC
    computer in the gas room should be checked. If it has crashed it
    should be rebooted. The operator should then log in using the
    username and password written on the computer. During the log in the
    password for the cross mounting of the /online disk will be asked
    for. This will be found on the computer too.

### Alarm handler

    The alarm handler alerts the operator when a sensitive parameter
goes out of the range of standard operation. A visual and an audible
signal are released in this case. The detector operator should click on
the alarm handler miniature window (figure 5)

![](media/image9.png){width="2.375in" height="0.625in"}

##### Figure 5: The alarm handler miniature window.

to open the main alarm handler window (figure 6).

![](media/image10.png){width="6.940277777777778in"
height="4.309722222222222in"}

##### Figure 6: The main alarm handler window.

    From this window, by pressing the uppermost left square, the alarm
is acknowledged and silenced. The colored squares indicate the parameter
in an alarm state. The color red stands for a high level alarm, yellow
for a low level alarm, and white for the loss of communication. By
pressing the square with the \"G\" some guidance is given.

**When turning off the low voltages or turning on the anode voltage a
transient alarm might go off.** This will result in one or two beeps
maximum and does not need to be acknowledged. The reason is that
switching on/off devices their current might go slightly above the alarm
threshold.  \
 

### [Known problems]{.underline}

#### FEEs and Temperatures

#### Magnet ramps

> In case of  a magnet ramp it is necessary to turn off the FEEs
> (default in the Magnet ramp configuration). In this mode we lose the
> FTPC temperature information. When the magnet ramp is finished and the
> FEEs are on again, there is a **non-negligible possibility that the
> temperature information does not come up in the East detector**. This
> information is **[VERY IMPORTANT]{.underline}** for our physics
> results.\
>  \
> Please check that the temperature sensors are working by clicking on
> the \"Monitor\" button in the \"main control window\" (Figure 1). Then
> select the \"Pressure and temperature\" option from the pop-up menu.
> The \"Temperature-Pressure\" window (Figure 8) will appear. Normally
> the temperature readings should be in the 20s. Some of the readings
> will be lower than 10. This is due to a known RDOB problem (see
> below).\
>  \
> In case **ALL COOLING PLATE AND BODY TEMPERATURE** values for FTPC
> East are 0.000, the only solution currently possible is to try to
> **reboot the ftpc slow control**. with the \"Reboot\" button in the
> \"main control window\" (see chapter about rebooting procedure). This
> process will take 5-10 minutes and during this time the connection
> will be off and there will be no parameter values. After that, the
> detector should be on again. The rebooting is not a normal procedure
> so, please, **consult an FTPC expert first**.\
> **Additional sensors seen in rows at the bottom of Figure 8 will
> always display temperatures, even when the FTPC FEEs are off. These
> are from an independent system. Temperature 7 in FTPC W does not exist
> and will always display \"0.000\".\
>  **

#### Broken sensors

> **~~The \"Output gas\" [thermistor]{.underline} on the west chamber is
> broken. The display always shows 0.0 in white color. The alarm handler
> is already set to ignore this broken sensor.~~ Corrected for 2005.**

**\
 ** ![](media/image11.jpeg){width="7.08125in" height="6.775in"}

##### Figure 8: The Temperature and Pressure monitoring window.

#### Anode problems

1.  **In the case that one or more of the anode HV channels trip, the
    operator should first clear the trip. To do this, open the \"Anode
    voltage\" window (Figure 7) by clicking on the \"Control\" button in
    the main control window (Figure 1). The channel that has tripped
    will be marked by a red flag, while all the others should be marked
    green. [Please make a note in the FTPC log book (and/or Electronic
    ShiftLog) as to which channel tripped]{.underline}. To clear the
    trip just press the \"CLEAR\" button in the bottom left corner of
    the window. After a short time the tripped channel(s) should be
    marked with a brown flag (disabled channel). To restore the voltage
    press the \"ON\" button on the anode voltage switch in the \"Quick
    on/off\" window (Figure 3). If the trip happens once more on the
    same channel(s) the operator should call a detector expert.\
     **

2.  **Changing the configuration from physics to laser, sometimes the
    anodes voltages in the West chamber do not go up to the nominal
    value (1200 V). This value should be forced from the
    \"Control\"\--\>\"Anodes\" window.**

![](media/image12.png){width="7.246527777777778in"
height="5.841666666666667in"}

##### Figure 7: The anodes control window.

##### 

##### 

#### RDOB problems

#### The \"RDOB Voltages\" display may show values which are either too high, too low or equal to 0.0 This is due to known problems in the electronics which can only be repaired when the FTPC\'s are taken out after the run. 

### Standard set points

  --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -- -- -- -- --
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

  Cathode voltage (2 channels)         -10kV±5V                                  

  Anode voltage (2x6 channels),        +1765V±2V West, +1750V±2V                 
  **Physics**                       East                                         

  Anode voltage (2x6 channels),        +1200V±2V West, +1200V±2V                 
  **laser**                         East                                         

  Anode voltage (2x6 channels),        +1000V±2V West, +1000V±2V                 
  **pedestals**                     East                                         

  Anode voltage (2x6 channels),       0V West/East, (+\~15V are                  
  **stand by**                      displayed)                                   

  Gating grid (2x4 channels)         -76V±2V open, -76V±115V closed              
  --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -- -- -- -- --

### Standard values

  ----------------------------------- ----------------------------- -- -- -- -- --
                                                                                

                                                                                

  Water pressure in (West/East)          -400mbar -\> -100mbar                  

  Water temperature (West/East)          \<31 C                                 

                                                                                

  O2(ppm) (West/East)                    \<10ppm                                

  H2O (dp C) (West/East)                 \<-50 C dp                             

  Ar flow = CO2 flow (West/East)         72 l/h-\>78 l/h;West=East              

                                                                                

  Cathode current                     0.14mA                                    

  Anode current                       -15nA \< I \< 15nA                        
  ----------------------------------- ----------------------------- -- -- -- -- --

**\
Created: Wed Jun 13 14:25:19 EDT 2001 by Gaspare Lo Curto\
Revised for Y2003: Jan 1, 2003 by Maria Mora\
Last modified: Dec 13 16:00:00 EST 2004 by Terry Tarnowsky \
 \
  **