ATLAS Level-1 Calorimeter Trigger
Hardware Progress Meeting - 31 March 1999

Minutes

Present:	Eric Eisenhandler, Norman Gee, Tony Gillman, Bob Hatley,
				Viraj Perera, Richard Staley

1. ACTION list from previous meeting (19-3-1999):
a) The final DSS specifications documents (motherboard and daughter-cards) have all 
now been posted on the Web
b) The schematics of the DSS/G-link boards have now been sent electronically to Ulrich

2. CMM architecture update
Norman reported that discussions have been continuing with Sam and Uli regarding the 
backplane architecture for the proposed Common Merger module, and that the 
numerology for pins, etc. indicates that a viable design may be possible, assuming up to 
16 processor modules (JEM or CPM) as sources for ROI and DAQ. A preliminary design 
specification will be drafted for discussion amongst the e/gamma and jet/energy 
communities.

ACTION: Produce draft document of outline specifications for CMM - Norman

3. CMOS/GTL backplane cards
Richard reported that these tests are now complete, with the conclusions that CMOS 
transmission at 160 Mbit/s is very robust and completely adequate for our needs, 
whereas (surprisingly) GTL demonstrates poor eye patterns at these speeds, although 
appearing acceptable at 80 Mbit/s. Richard is currently preparing a technical report 
summarising the results.

ACTION: Complete write-up of test results - Richard

4. DSS system:
a) Connector supply problems
Bob and Richard reported that both the 2mm and coaxial connectors from Berg were on 
a 14-week delivery, and that the minimum order was £2.7K. Bob would check if there 
were a near-equivalent from Robinson Nugent. Bob Thompson (ID) was assisting with 
these searches.
b) DSS motherboard design status
Viraj reported that Kevin is still working on the schematics, and he expects that they will 
go to the Drawing Office for layout by 9th April.
c) LVDS daughter-cards layout status
Richard reported that the Receiver card layout (with 75 ohm traces) is now complete, 
and the Transmitter card layout will now begin.
d) G-link daughter-cards layout status
Bob reported that the Drawing Office is now working on the Receiver card.Component 
placement has already been done, but not yet any tracking.

ACTION: Select suitable (available and affordable) connector - Bob/Richard

5. ROD prototype:
Norman reported that a working document was being prepared, which addressed the 
unresolved issues raised during the recent Review. They cover two major areas:
i) _ The format of the event fragments- the multiplicity hit bits from each CPM will be 
added into the serial bitstreams sent to the ROD prototype, and the CMM readout needs 
further thought.
ii) _The functionality of the PMC (DSP) daughter-card - some updates have already 
been added to the ROD prototype specifications.

ACTION: Produce document addressing remaining ROD prototype specifications - 
Norman

6. CCM prototype:
a) Status of specifications
Viraj said that the clarification (block diagrams and explanatory text describing the 
intermediate development stages) suggested at the previous meeting were not yet 
complete.
b) Proposed Review dates
Tony suggested that the CCM prototype specifications should be ready for posting to the 
Web by 12th April. They could then be assessed between 12th and 26th April with the 
Review discussions taking place between 26th April and 10th May. The panel would be 
Norman, Paul H, Bob and Sam.

ACTION: Update CCM prototype specifications document for Web posting - Viraj

7. System test software status
Norman summarised the current situation with software preparations for the forthcoming 
DSS system tests. Kithsiri's diagnostics panel for the DSS is largely working. For the 
DAQ software, Bill Scott has been making good progress and has now completed the 
menu options. Norman plans to visit Birmingham soon to help commission the system 
with Bill.

8. Any other business
Tony reported that he had contacted Mark Hatch at CERN with a request for a loan of up 
to four water-cooled racks to build up and test the calorimeter trigger system at RAL, 
prior to installation in ATLAS. The mail had been passed on to Werner Witzeling, but no 
reply has yet been received.

ACTION: Liaise with Werner Witzeling re loan of racks - Tony

* Next meeting - Tuesday 13th April at 14.30 in CR02, R1 at RAL.

Tony Gillman