ICALEPCS2011 - List of Authors (Gabourin, S.)

Paper

Title

Page

Testing Digital Electronic Protection Systems

1047

A. Garcia Muñoz, S. Gabourin
CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

The Safe Machine Parameters Controller (SMPC) ensures the correct configuration of the LHC machine protection system, and that safe injection conditions are maintained throughout the filling of the LHC machine. The SMPC receives information in real-time from measurement electronics installed throughout the LHC and SPS accelerators, determines the state of the machine, and informs the SPS and LHC machine protection systems of these conditions. This paper outlines the core concepts and realization of the SMPC test-bench, based on a VME crate and LabVIEW program. Its main goal is to ensure the correct function of the SMPC for the protection of the CERN accelerator complex. To achieve this, the tester has been built to replicate the machine environment and operation, in order to ensure that the chassis under test is completely exercised. The complexity of the task increases with the number of input combinations which are, in the case of the SMPC, in excess of 2³⁶⁴. This paper also outlines the benefits and weaknesses of developing a test suite independently of the hardware being tested, using the "V" approach.

Poster WEPMU002 [0.763 MB]

WEPMU012

First Experiences of Beam Presence Detection Based on Dedicated Beam Position Monitors

1081

A. Jalal, S. Gabourin, M. Gasior, B. Todd
CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

High intensity particle beam injection into the LHC is only permitted when a low intensity pilot beam is already circulating in the LHC. This requirement addresses some of the risks associated with high intensity injection, and is enforced by a so-called Beam Presence Flag (BPF) system which is part of the interlock chain between the LHC and its injector complex. For the 2010 LHC run, the detection of the presence of this pilot beam was implemented using the LHC Fast Beam Current Transformer (FBCT) system. However, the primary function of the FBCTs, that is reliable measurement of beam currents, did not allow the BPF system to satisfy all quality requirements of the LHC Machine Protection System (MPS). Safety requirements associated with high intensity injections triggered the development of a dedicated system, based on Beam Position Monitors (BPM). This system was meant to work first in parallel with the FBCT BPF system and eventually replace it. At the end of 2010 and in 2011, this new BPF implementation based on BPMs was designed, built, tested and deployed. This paper reviews both the FBCT and BPM implementation of the BPF system, outlining the changes during the transition period. The paper briefly describes the testing methods, focuses on the results obtained from the tests performed during the end of 2010 LHC run and shows the changes made for the BPM BPF system deployment in LHC in 2011.

Paper	Title	Page
WEPMU002	Testing Digital Electronic Protection Systems	1047
	A. Garcia Muñoz, S. Gabourin CERN, Geneva, Switzerland
	The Safe Machine Parameters Controller (SMPC) ensures the correct configuration of the LHC machine protection system, and that safe injection conditions are maintained throughout the filling of the LHC machine. The SMPC receives information in real-time from measurement electronics installed throughout the LHC and SPS accelerators, determines the state of the machine, and informs the SPS and LHC machine protection systems of these conditions. This paper outlines the core concepts and realization of the SMPC test-bench, based on a VME crate and LabVIEW program. Its main goal is to ensure the correct function of the SMPC for the protection of the CERN accelerator complex. To achieve this, the tester has been built to replicate the machine environment and operation, in order to ensure that the chassis under test is completely exercised. The complexity of the task increases with the number of input combinations which are, in the case of the SMPC, in excess of 2³⁶⁴. This paper also outlines the benefits and weaknesses of developing a test suite independently of the hardware being tested, using the "V" approach.
	Poster WEPMU002 [0.763 MB]

WEPMU012	First Experiences of Beam Presence Detection Based on Dedicated Beam Position Monitors	1081
	A. Jalal, S. Gabourin, M. Gasior, B. Todd CERN, Geneva, Switzerland
	High intensity particle beam injection into the LHC is only permitted when a low intensity pilot beam is already circulating in the LHC. This requirement addresses some of the risks associated with high intensity injection, and is enforced by a so-called Beam Presence Flag (BPF) system which is part of the interlock chain between the LHC and its injector complex. For the 2010 LHC run, the detection of the presence of this pilot beam was implemented using the LHC Fast Beam Current Transformer (FBCT) system. However, the primary function of the FBCTs, that is reliable measurement of beam currents, did not allow the BPF system to satisfy all quality requirements of the LHC Machine Protection System (MPS). Safety requirements associated with high intensity injections triggered the development of a dedicated system, based on Beam Position Monitors (BPM). This system was meant to work first in parallel with the FBCT BPF system and eventually replace it. At the end of 2010 and in 2011, this new BPF implementation based on BPMs was designed, built, tested and deployed. This paper reviews both the FBCT and BPM implementation of the BPF system, outlining the changes during the transition period. The paper briefly describes the testing methods, focuses on the results obtained from the tests performed during the end of 2010 LHC run and shows the changes made for the BPM BPF system deployment in LHC in 2011.