The 11th Symposium on Accelerator Science and Technology, Harima Science Garden City, 1997

Upgrade of console programs in the KEK E/P Linac
from an expert operators' points of view
Masahiko TANAKA*, Isamu ABE, and Hitoshi KOBAYASHI(KEK) High Energy Accelerator Research Organization*Mitsubishi Electric System & SeiVice Engineering Co, Ltd.
Oho 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan

Abstract3

Most console programs have been developed foroperators by programmers, or a field expert who takes careof accelerator devices. However, we should develop afeedback of operator experiences to the console programs.
We evaluated the opinions and experiences of expert
operators for console programs from their points of view,which searching for suitable programs. The results of ourevaluation and some problems regarding on upgrade are
discussed in this paper.

1

Introduction

To improve the operators' console for the new JLinac (build in 1994-1998) at KEK, we sent a questionnaire
to expert operators in order to investigate and evaluate theLinac operation software from their points ofview[1]. As aresult, some bases were shown for the idea that any person
who operates accelerators regularly should carry forward
the development of application programs for the console.
This paper discusses the proposition and system of theoperation software development environment to improve
the operation from the points of view of operators based on
an investigation. We also examine the problems necessary
to consider concerning the new system realization.

2Operation software evaluation

When the accelerator is in regular operation in the E/P
Linac, the shift operator (KEK staff and some company
persons) runs the Linac. They use the operator console
which was made by others, who take care of accelerato;
devices or who work in the computer field In· a humaninterface (lll/F) and an operator console window, or others
being often built in the past by persons who are not proper
operators, the operator must learn the functions and mannerof operation. It has been pointed out by expert accelerator
operators that the things which were built by others isn't
always ·efficient and easy to use by operators. It wasproved by doing a consciousness investigation of operatorsthat making a HIIF which can reflect the opinion of expert
operators is exclusively needed.

Operation phase of the accelerator

The operation of the Linac can be classified into thefollowing phase as below, which are meaningful in ourdiscussion:·1·) Accelerator design, the simulation phase;2 ) Partial test ( equipment unit ) running;3 ) Linac start-up (or, shut down) operation;4 ) Adjustment
operation(itincludes
beam
commissioning, machine study, etc,.);5 ) Normal operation (pattern operation, the daily routinework);.
6 ) Diagnostic work for the Linac problems; and7 ) Operation for maintenance.
There are reasonable requested specifications which aredifferent from each of the above phases. It is desirable toinclude its own operation and_ display windows at everyphase. As the area becomes very big when treating all of
the phases, we will focus on the phase of the regular
operation of clauses 3) and 5).

4

Hierarchical abstraction of the operation

At first, we focused on the regular operation phaseamong the Linac operation phases. Next, when examining
operation objects (generic task) in this phase, there is
generally actually the following physical layer apart fromthe consciousness of the operator:1 ) All kinds of operations on the HIIF (at top layer)
2 ) Database and calculations (middle layer)
3 ) Device operation (lower layer)
It is also possible to operate the final object in each layer. Ina general discussion· about accelerators, especially bigger
ones, most devices are operated from the GUI of the HI/F.
Moreover, our focus is set on limiting to this HI/F. Whenlooking from the higher level layer, concerning theequipment, it is first abstracted in the device layer;
moreover some object data are abstracted in the database at
the middle layer[2]. That is, data exchange with the database also means communication with the devices. All ofthese devices and databases at the HIIF are finallyabstracted to a style which it is easy for the operator tounderstand using the GUI; convenient and functional
operation is the target in this phase.

-464-The II th Symposium on Accelerator Science and Technology, Harima Science Garden City, 1997

5

Functional and characteristic classification

Fig.l Symptoms among operators

As we clarified the hierarchical abstraction of theLinac operation phase and operation, the order ofrequirements was made as follows:
1 ) Various independent equipment operation ;2 ) Cooperative operation among the devices;
3 ) Macro operation, automation;4 ) Operation support based on the log trend;5 ) Operation by the correlation analysis support;
6 ) Database support operation, contains CBR.;
7 ) Multimedia support operation;8 ) Global network operation; and9 ) DTP cooperation application.
The items mentioned above tend to expand as the computer
control evolves. They are especially conspicuous fromclause 3) to the 9). 9) is a new item which attracts
attention; all of these become the load of the operator. We
made a consciousness investigation by a questionnaire andextracted domain knowledge from these members who areregular Linac operators and are from a company. We tried atype of analysis which could improve a conventional
operation system based on such an investigation.

ffness30%

eyes

problem60%2) GUI ofHI/F
Most operators have interest in computers, after having useda PC or Work Station, and.having become accustomed to it.
the most favorite OS is Windows95 also 22% of theoperators liked UNIX. Operators want to select Macintosh,
Windows95, and Windows NT.
Windows95, andWindows NT are becoming very common.
This shows (Fig.2) that many operators want to use easycomputers which are common in the market. As for theLNIX or others916

6

Software evaluation by the questionnaire
Win Nf27%

Although the professional operator (from a company)
and the KEK staff operator were investigated for this time,
the question items were prepared 36 pages to nine
professional operators. As the question item range, it
investigated the evaluation of the concrete:1) Operation and display windows;
2) Domain knowledge, consciousness investigation; and
3) Operators opinion for accelerator operation.
Each operator forms the area in which he is good based on
operation experiences, has domain-knowledge judgement,
and makes possible the operation and examination of theLinac. It became clear from our investigation that we canmake good decisions for the future based on our empiricalconcerning the operation software. The software evaluation
is done from the viewpoint of operation, not just itsperformance.
In the field of big science, except for the accelerator, ananalysis of this species is a obviously big factor regarding
operation.

7

Investigation result4) About the human factor
There are many people who answered that their eyes weretiied when using a computer concerning mental points; theshoulders stiffness, and so on, (Fig. I)
There was only one who answered that it was not a problem
at all; most of the operators answered that there is somesymptom;. 33% also feel some stress about watching ascreen. The environment of the operation and the display
show something which isn't always satisfactory, andcontrary to the will to accept.

Win 9527%

color of the screen, the operator tends to like a few quiet
colors; however, more than half of the operators expect
easier pointing devices, such as another handwriting input
equipment, etc.
Fig.3 Programing language which operatorsinterestc

VisualBasic

46%

46%

C++
8%

For the languages (Fig.3), 70% of all operators have someskill, and are choosing C language and VB(Visual Basic).
3) We tried to evaluate each item which is a concrete screenof the console and received advice for an improvement plan.
The tendency is described below:a) Programs made by field specialists
There are many technical displays suitable for maintenance.
During operation, these are not simple, and are not acceptedby the operators. Only a professional often uses them, andthere is a tendency for operators to intentionally put them away.

-465-

The lith Symposium on Accelerator Science and Technology, Harima Science Garden City, 1997b) Program made by operators
Programs are possible to be made by operators. The
operators knows what they need and what to do in Linac
operation. As th~ developer himself use the programs, it iseasy to introduce the opinion of the same operator quickly,and it helps to teach others. These programs are easy tounderstand in detail. A tendency is pointed out that operates
well.
c) Software company- made programs
It is pointed out that it is necessary to be more polishedconcerning design. Learning details is difficult if it isupgraded so often, and thus usage tends to become less.
As for frequent new software versions, the expense andspecification arrangements become a heavy load.

4 ) Provide figures, pictures, and text by Web. (shown inFig.4)
5 ) Server-client system, comprising with Windows
95/NT is already running. The user can use common
files just like a local file.
6 ) Data-base access becomes available from MS
products (Excel, Access, Visual Basic).

4) Domain knowledge evaluation.
As for domain knowledge, each one has already made theirprofessional field. A multimedia database would be usefulfor difficult correspondence. The mechanism which isalways referred to, is learning improvement. It is possible
to say that the mechanism which provides a present
photograph, a drawing, operation log or a trend and etc, on
the Web are now accepted. Based on their field knowledge,
an operator strongly want to build convenient programs,personally. They also want to improve it continuously.

8For users and developers, additional learning costs arealmost less for everybody regarding the above

Problems in the analyzed results

Within the range which was first set as theinvestigation area this time, it is possible to say that it isnecessary to provide an operation program development
environment which is also possible for the operator toparticipate. Concerning the proposition, the following areproblems:
1) The stress cancellation which comes from a computer.
The word processor input work, and improvement ofscreen information.
2) Automation which the operator request
It uses an its own composition windows concerning
stress decrease.
Programming by the tool of fixed procedures processing
The reuse of non-fixed procedures processing byprofessional operator.
3) Information provision by multimedia
4) Learning support and domain knowledge
expansion by model-base operation.

9Fig.4 made by users on Web using object components.

improv1~ments.

10 Conclusion
Without losing the purpose of the control system of
the design phase, to build a user IIF which is efficient, and,moreover, is convenient for operators obtain an answer
should be partially possible in operation-programdevelopment. The provision of 1the easy and flexible
development environment in which accelerator operators
can participate in operation-program development isindispensable. The possibility of software construction
which reflects the opinion of the accelerator operator has
been proved.

References[1]

Improvements

Based on a previous questionnaire analysis, concerning
an improvement plan of Linac operation software in thefuture, some propositions are listed bellow:
1 ) GUI component object [3] should be presented forconsole programming.
2 ) Procedure macro tools should be available, which
would allow the operator to handle re-usefulprocedures.
3 ) Use and commercial package software linking; MSbased products are easy to link by OLE[2][3]-466-

Masahiko TANAKA, Isamu Abe and Hitoshi
KOBAYASHI"Evaluation for operators console from operators
points of view ",p.l96-198, Linac meeting, 1997/9 Sendai
Isamu Abe and Masakatsu Mutoh"Data base driven accelerator control using PCs ",PCaPAC '96, DESY
S. Dasgputa and I Abe"Finding Universal Objects for Accelerator MMI''
p201-203, Linac meeting, 1997/9 Sendai