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" 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	Action by user	
reset 	Standby, ROP should report: "Initialising PVIC bus ... "

5.	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