June, 2005

Level 1 Calorimeter Trigger (WBS 1.2.1) - M.Abolins, H.Evans
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The month of June saw continuing work on integrating the Run IIb L1Cal
system at Fermilab. Data from the BLS system (via splitters) was
written to tape during D0 running for 16 Trigger Towers. This data was
recovered offline using the prototype unpacker and expected pedestal
distributions were observed. However, a much larger than expected
error rate on the transfer of data to L2 and L3 over optical fiber was
noted. This was determined to be partially due to a badly seated SCL
receiver daughter board on the TAB, but even after reseating this
board errors on the transmission remain. The problem is being studied
at Nevis and further tests of the transmission are ongoing at
Fermilab. 

The other major area of work during June was on the Transition
System. All pleated foil cables have now arrived at Fermilab as have
25 of the patch panels and four of the ADF Transition Cards. Testing
of all of these components is ongoing. In particular, samples of all
elements have been sent to MSU where tests of the BLS-to-ADF part of
the system have begun using Test Waveform Generator inputs. This
TWG-based test system will be sent to Fermilab to allow more extensive
tests to be done there. In addition, the ADF-to-TAB part of the
transition system has also been tested at MSU using the Channel Link
Receiver test card. After approximately one week of running, no
transmission errors have been observed in the ADF output data passed
through the ADF Transition Card indicating that no additional noise is
added to the transmission by the Transition Card.

Progress was also made on the Run IIa calorimeter pulser system. The
SMU group has produced a GUI to control the operation of this system
and has used it to perform several successful pulser runs. They are in
the process of adapting their new code to the Run IIb L1Cal, where it
will be invaluable in, among other things, verifying correct cabling
of the new system and checking for dead channels.

In order to simplify monitoring of crate power and cooling, we decided
to purchase Wiener crates and power supplies for the TAB/GAB and
Control crates in the Run IIb L1Cal system. (The ADF crates already
use Wiener crates/supplies). Orders for the TAB/GAB and Control crates
and power went out in June with the hardware expected to arrive on
October 3. In the meantime, system tests will continue using the
existing TAB/GAB and control crates, which will be used in a long-term
test stand when the final system is installed and operational.

Finally, D. Edmunds has produced a detailed list of tasks that must be
accomplished before the Run IIb LlCal system can be declared "ready to
install". This task list is being discussed within the group and will
form the basis for an L1Cal System Readiness Review to be held later
in the summer.