Author: Oram, D.E.
Paper Title Page
TUPV048 Updates and Remote Challenges for IBEX, Beamline Control at ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source 514
 
  • F.A. Akeroyd, K.V.L. Baker, L. Cole, J.R. Harper, D.P. Keymer, J.C. King, A.J. Long, T. Löhnert, C. Moreton-Smith, D.E. Oram, B. Rai
    STFC/RAL/ISIS, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom
 
  IBEX is the EPICS based experiment control system now running on most of the beamlines at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, with plans to deploy to all remaining beamlines by the end of the upcoming long shutdown. Over the last couple of years we have added support for reflectometry and muon instruments, developed a script generator, moved from Python 2 to Python 3, and continued to build on our suite of device emulators and tests. The reflectometry inclusions required the development of a framework to maintain the complex motion control requirements for that science technique. Whilst it is desirable that IBEX is easily configurable, not all operations should be available to all users, so we have implemented functionality to manage such access. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant we have also had to adapt to greater amounts of remote experiment access, for which we developed systems covering both IBEX and the old SECI control system. This presentation will aim to provide a brief update on the recent changes to IBEX, as well as outlining the remote operation solutions employed  
poster icon Poster TUPV048 [1.332 MB]  
DOI • reference for this paper ※ https://doi.org/10.18429/JACoW-ICALEPCS2021-TUPV048  
About • Received ※ 10 October 2021       Revised ※ 18 October 2021       Accepted ※ 20 November 2021       Issue date ※ 14 March 2022
Cite • reference for this paper using ※ BibTeX, ※ LaTeX, ※ Text/Word, ※ RIS, ※ EndNote (xml)  
 
TUPV049 The IBEX Script Generator 519
 
  • J.C. King, J.R. Harper, A.J. Long, T. Löhnert, D.E. Oram
    STFC/RAL/ISIS, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom
 
  Experiment scripting is a key element of maximising utilisation of beam time at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, but can be prone to typing and logic errors. The IBEX Script Generator enables collaboration between instrument users and scientists to remove the need to write a script for many experiments, so improving reliability and control. For maximum applicability, the script generator needs to be easily configurable. Instrument scientists define action parameters, and functions for action execution, time estimation and validation, to produce a "script definition". A user then generates a Python script by organising a table of actions and their values, which are validated in real time, and can then be submitted to a script server for execution. Py4J is used to bridge a Java front end with Python script definitions. An iterative user-focused approach has been employed with Squish UI testing to achieve a behaviour-driven development workflow, along with Jenkins for continuous integration. Further planned development includes dynamic scripting ’ controlling the execution of actions during the experiment ’ action iteration and user experience improvement.  
poster icon Poster TUPV049 [1.051 MB]  
DOI • reference for this paper ※ https://doi.org/10.18429/JACoW-ICALEPCS2021-TUPV049  
About • Received ※ 09 October 2021       Revised ※ 19 October 2021       Accepted ※ 20 November 2021       Issue date ※ 23 November 2021
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WEAR03 Agility in Managing Experiment Control Software Systems 553
 
  • K.V.L. Baker, F.A. Akeroyd, T. Löhnert, D.E. Oram
    STFC/RAL/ISIS, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom
 
  Most software development teams are proponents of Agile methodologies. Control system software teams, working at science facilities, are not always just developers, they undertake operations work, and may also be responsible for infrastructure from computer hardware to networks. Parts of the workflow this team interacts with may be Agile, but others may not be, and they may enforce deadlines that do not align with the typical agile implementations. There is the need to be more reactive when the facility is operating, which will impact any development work plans. Similarly, friction can occur between an Agile approach and more familiar existing long-standing risk-averse organisational approaches used on hardware projects. Based on experiences gained during the development of IBEX, the experiment control software used at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon source, this presentation will aim to explore what being Agile means, what challenges a multi-functional team can experience, and some solutions we have employed.  
slides icon Slides WEAR03 [4.449 MB]  
DOI • reference for this paper ※ https://doi.org/10.18429/JACoW-ICALEPCS2021-WEAR03  
About • Received ※ 09 October 2021       Revised ※ 18 October 2021       Accepted ※ 25 February 2022       Issue date ※ 05 March 2022
Cite • reference for this paper using ※ BibTeX, ※ LaTeX, ※ Text/Word, ※ RIS, ※ EndNote (xml)