Using Linux PCs in DAQ applications

Author

Unel, G. ; Ambrosini, G. ; Beck, HP ; Cetin, S. ; Conka, T. ; Crone, G. ; Fernandes, A. ; Francis, D. ; Joos, M. ; Lehmann, G. ; Lopez, J. ; Mailov, A. ; Mapelli, L. ; Mornacchi, G. ; Niculescu, M. ; Petersen, Jc ; Tremblet, L. ; Veneziano, S. ; Wildish,

Author_Institution

CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

Volume

47

Issue

2

fYear

2000

fDate

4/1/2000 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

109

Lastpage

113

Abstract

ATLAS Data Acquisition/Event Filter “-1” (DAQ/EF1) project provides the opportunity to explore the use of commodity hardware (PCs) and Open Source Software (Linux) in DAQ applications. In DAQ/EF-1 there is an element called the LDAQ which is responsible for providing local run-control, error-handling and reporting for a number of read-out modules in front end crates. This element is also responsible for providing event data for monitoring and for the interface with the global control and monitoring system (Back-End). We present the results of an evaluation of the Linux operating system made in the context of DAQ/EF-1 where there are no strong real-time requirements. We also report on our experience in implementing the LDAQ on a VMEbus based PC (the VMIVME-7587) and a desktop PC linked to VMEbus with a Bit3 interface both running Linux. We then present the problems encountered during the integration with VMEbus, the status of the LDAQ implementation and draw some conclusions on the use of Linux in DAQ applications

Keywords

IBM compatible machines; Unix; high energy physics instrumentation computing; nuclear electronics; system buses; DAQ applications; Linux PCs; Open Source Software; VMEbus based PC; commodity hardware; error-handling; front end crates; global control; local run-control; read-out modules; Application software; Control systems; Data acquisition; Filters; Linux; Monitoring; Open source hardware; Open source software; Operating systems; Personal communication networks;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.846127

Filename

846127