The slow control system of the muon g-2 experiment

The muon g-2 experiment (AGS E-821) will measure a_μ=½(g-2), the anomalous magnetic dipole moment of the muon, in the world´s largest superconducting solenoidal magnet. Since the magnet stores the muons during their lifetime, running the experiment is similar to running an accelerator, though on a much smaller scale and with fewer timing requirements. The slow control system for the experiment will provide real-time monitoring of the experimental parameters by means of industrial subsystems; commercial products comprise both the hardware and its interface. The industrial basis of the control system makes it quite easy to install, and provides a simple way of implementing rudimentary controls for most of the variables. Two independent networks isolate critical control functions from bookkeeping functions, yet still provide a degree of redundancy. Since commercial products form the bulk of the slow control software, there is a minimal programming requirement for tool development