# Users guide for the MINOS DAQ system

  ------------------------- ------------------------
  *Document author :*       *Tass Belias*
                            
  *Document version :*      *0.2*
  *Last update :*           *20/09/2001*
                            
  *Resident DAQ expert :*   *Tass Belias @ Soudan*
                            
  ------------------------- ------------------------

## Contents

1.  Introduction

2.  Get to know the RC-GUI

3.  Check the DAQ status

4.  Start data taking

5.  Stop data taking

6.  Shut down the DAQ

7.  How to restart the RC-GUI

8.  Direct access to the ROP

9.  Glossary of terms

### Introduction

This is a how-to guide for using the data acquisition (DAQ) system.

Control of the DAQ is provided by the Run Control via a graphical user
interface, the RC-GUI. If you are not familiar with the looks of the
RC-GUI read the section: Get to know the RC-GUI.

The RC-GUI should be displayed on the screen \"RUN CONTROL\" on the
desktop \"DAQ\". If the RC-GUI is not displayed there, follow the steps
in section: How to start up the RC-GUI.

## Get to know the RC-GUI

\[A picture of the RC-GUI with explanations\]

The top of the RC-GUI shows various fields, such as:

-   Run Type

-   Run

-   Sub Run

-   Time Frame

-   Local Time

-   Server Time

-   Started Duration

Next the command buttons are displayed. Only Start_Run and Stop_Run need
to be used, in normal DAQ operations. The horizontal bars display
status.

The first shows the overall status of the DAQ. The other 2 horizontal
bars, display the status of DAQ sub-systems, TPC and MBRP respectively.

Next, there is a horizontal bar divided in sections for the ROP status.
Finally there are data rate displays and communication messages of the
various DAQ sub-systems.

## Check the DAQ status

1.  The RC-GUI should be on screen \"RUN CONTROL\" on desktop \"DAQ\".

If the RC-GUI shows mode IDLE data taking may commence (see Start data
taking).

If the RC-GUI shows mode ERROR try to revive it (see How to restart the
RC-GUI).

In the unlikely case of the RC-GUI being in ERROR after restarting it,
contact the resident DAQ expert.

## Start data taking

1.  Given that the RC-GUI is in mode IDLE, click the Start_Run button.

2.  Choose the run-type on the pop-up window, and click OK.

3.  Observe the RC-GUI changing states, resulting in mode RUNNING.

4.  Note on the top of the RC-GUI the fields:

Run: note the run number and run type and any other relevant infos

Duration: shows the duration of current run (including prepare phase)

Time Frame: shows the number of seconds taken for this run

## Stop data taking

1.  If the run type is Pedestal, the run will stop automatically in 20
    seconds. Any other type of run can be stopped with the Stop_Run
    button.

2.  During stopping observe the RC-GUI changing states, resulting in
    mode IDLE. If ERROR occurs contact the resident DAQ expert.

## Shut down the DAQ (at the end of the night shift)

1.  Switch off the VME-crate power supply of all the crates in the MINOS
    hall.

## How to restart the RC-GUI

1.  Login as minos on the Run Control PC (daqrc) ( screen \"RUN
    CONTROL\" )

2.  Switch to desktop \"ROPs\" and reset each ROP.(see Direct access to
    the ROP).

3.  Switch to desktop \"DAQ\" and change to directory
    /home/minos/daqdev/bin

4.  Invoke the script (./start_daq -w --d ). This will spawn a few other
    windows, and eventually the RC-GUI.

5.  Proceed as in section: Check the DAQ status

## Direct access to the ROP

Each ROP can be accessed directly from a terminal via telnet to a
specific password protected port. Once logged in to the ROP, the user
has the following commands available:

  --------- -----------------
  Command   Action invoked
            
  reset     Reboots the ROP
            
  --------- -----------------

+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| 1.  Switch to desktop \"ROPs\"   | Action by user                   |
|     and open a terminal for each |                                  |
|     ROP.                         |                                  |
|                                  |                                  |
| 2.  Use telnet to access each    |                                  |
|     ROP on port 10001. Consult   |                                  |
|     the DAQ network list for IP  |                                  |
|     addresses. (telnet daquds00  |                                  |
|     10001)                       |                                  |
|                                  |                                  |
| 3.  Observe the command line     |                                  |
|     prompt (-\>).                |                                  |
|                                  |                                  |
| 4.  Enter the command and        |                                  |
|     observe, in case of command: |                                  |
|                                  |                                  |
| Command                          |                                  |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
|                                  |                                  |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
| reset                            | Standby, ROP should report:      |
|                                  | \"Initialising PVIC bus \... \"  |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
|                                  |                                  |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+

1.  If any ROP reports an error, contact the resident DAQ expert.

## Glossary of terms

  -------- -------------------------------------------
  MINOS    Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search
           
  DAQ      Data AcQuisition
  RC-GUI   Run Control Graphical User Inteface
           
  MBRP     Master Branch Readout Processor
           
  BRP      Branch Readout Processor
           
  ROP      ReadOut Processor
           
  TPC      Timing Personal Computer
           
  -------- -------------------------------------------