ClusterAlg.gif (577 bytes) The ATLAS Level-1 Calorimeter Trigger

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ATLAS-UK Level-1 Calorimeter Trigger Meeting

Tuesday 17th July 2001- Birmingham

 

Present: Bruce Barnett (minutes), Ian Brawn, James Edwards , Eric Eisenhandler (chair), Norman Gee, Tony Gillman, Bob Hatley, Stephen Hillier, Murrough Landon, Gilles Mahout, David Mills, Ed Moyse, Richard Staley.

 


 

Agenda

 

Minutes

Last Meeting (June 5, 2001)

 

Hardware status

Generic Test Module........................Ian for Viraj 10'

CP "chip"..........................................James 10'

Cluster Processor Module.........................Richard 10'

CP/JEP ROD prototype.......................Ian for Viraj 5'

Common Merger Module.................................Ian 10'

Parallel LVDS transceiver test card........Ian for Viraj 5'

Timing Control Module & adapter, CPU adapter.........Bob 10'

Crates and power supplies for slice test.............Bob 10'

JEM and backplane status summary....................Tony 10'

Short-term schedule.................................Tony 10'

 

 Hardware-related items

CANbus Status.......................................Dave 10'

 

Software status

Online software packages and documents..........Murrough 10'

Simulation and test vectors........................Steve 10'

Offline trigger simulation status.....................Ed 10'

 

Items from T/DAQ week

LAr and TileCal receiver situation..................Eric 5'

Rack layout developments........................Murrough 10'

RODs, ROD-crate DAQ, S-links, ROSs, and

   implications for final ROD design..............Norman 15'

 

Any other business

 

Dates of next meetings 

 

 


Hardware status

 

Generic Test Module - Ian

Ian reported that rework on the GTMs required by the provision of incorrect parts to the assembler has been given up. The new GTMs are, however, now available, and await JTAG test equipment to become available. (That equipment is rigged for other tests, scheduled to be completed in about 2 weeks.)

A local company proposing to offer rework services has been visited by a group from RAL (PPD and ID). The visit was very useful, but questions remain as to the ease of reworking components placed in the middle of 9U boards.

Eric asked Richard whether a rework test could be arranged, and Richard later agreed to provide something (for example) with a quad flat pack mounted to facilitate tests. This after a discussion which highlighted the need to find a meaningful test, with minimum labour requirements.

Norman pointed out that an outcome of the visit was a further understanding of the kinds of design rules which need to be followed in order to ensure successful rework. The company felt that RAL's design rules were for the most part appropriate, but it would be helpful for the design office to hold direct discussions with the company.

CP "chip" - James

James discussed the status, mentioning that the BC-demuxing has now been modified to reflect the new "where is zero" labelling conventions proposed by Steve, with the result that the "chip" simulation now agrees with Steve's test-vectors.

The question of the timing difficulties that were encountered in the design arose, and it emerged that these had been solved by an update in the Xilinx tools. James is currently checking the timing of the design for the XCV1000 and 1600 parts.

Richard mentioned that the Cadence libraries will also need an upgrade: Panagiotis is attending to that. 

Cluster Processor Module - Richard 

Richard presented a summary of the CPM prototype design, for which the schematics have been completed and now appear on his web. Richard expressed thanks to James for reading through them in an effort to spot errors, inconsistencies and omissions.

Richard flagged a CPM design change, which sees the serialiser configuration store incorporating both the ROC and Hit-sum FPGA configuration information. In addition, after a discussion with James, he has routed outputs from FPGA spare pins (16 for each CP, 8 for each serialiser) in an effort to allow their use in subsequent firmware revisions, should the need arise.

The FPGA-CPLD firmware design status was outlined, with all items now complete.

A few changes in the module programming model have been incorporated, with details available on Richard's web page.

Richard gave an overview of the anticipated timescales. He expects first module tests to commence in Birmingham in November (2001). Layout can start in the RAL drawing office soon.

On Richard's list are assembly of documentation and provision of a user guide for the module.

CP/JEP ROD prototype - Ian  

Ian discussed the status, from his and Viraj's perspectives. He needs tests to be completed as soon as possible so that the production of new modules can be authorised.

The Birmingham group expressed interest in a ROD/DSS system, in order to help speed the completion of those tests.

 Common Merger Module - Ian

Ian discussed the status of the CMM. In particular, the question of CMM/CTP interconnection had arisen, with ID proposing to CERN the use of a standard SCSI-3 type cable/connectors. CERN had proposed an alternate solution, but it is not clear that the cable impedance of that solution will be appropriate. As the design of the CMM now awaits this decision, it has been decided to use the SCSI-3 for the purpose of the CMM prototype.

The CMM design is now ready to proceed to the drawing office, which has an available slot. The question of whether CMM or CPM should be placed in that slot arose: the CMM is ready now and will proceed.

Eric reminded [Norman/Ian] that he needs to have a completed specification for entry into EDMS. This will be provided when changes to the address map, which are pending, have been completed.

Concerning the choice of connector, it was decided that Norman and/or Ian should contact Georges Schuler explaining which connector we are using - and why - in order to have his reaction.

 

Parallel LVDS transceiver test card- Ian

Ian summarised the status on this test card. The design is ready, but it has not yet been decided how to proceed. The priority given to the card has to depend on the fact that it is only crucial to the CMM tests, and hence its scheduling should be consistent with that fact.

In fact there are 3 cards:

  • LVDS I/O
  • Backplane adapter
  • CPM emulater (LVDS to CMOS) so drive CMOS levels into the CMM

The first can likely be done in Birmingham, and the latter two at RAL (to be confirmed with Viraj).

Timing Control Module & adapter, CPU adapter. Crates and P/S for slice test. - Bob

Bob presented the status of the TCM. The TCM, Adapter Link Card (ALC) and Display PCBS have been assembled, and appear to have no serious design errors. The TTC distribution is ok. VME and CANbus functionality have not been tested.

The VMM (VME Mount Module) PCB is being manufactured; the metal work required for processor mounting is ready.

Bob described plans to test the VME functionality of these modules by using an old 9U backplane with a kludged backplane-to-module connector. In addition, the CPLD coding has been completed but not yet tested.

The Fujitsu CANbus implementation on this board will be tested at RAL with the help of, and code prepared by, Dave Mills. In this area some tests will be required to test the controller's ability to read the VME crate number, etc.

In addition, documentation for the modules needs to be updated.

Concerning the specifications of the TCM, Bob commented that Paul Hanke had been informed, and had not expressed any reservations thereof [implying tacit acceptance.]

Bob commented on the status of Power Units for the slice tests. All components have been acquired and the prototype is 80% complete.

Concerning the TTCdec cards, 7 have been made and await testing. This makes, then, a total of 10 such boards (3 old and 7 new). That is in addition to the CERN optical test cards of which we have 4 (and which can be used only with the DSS.) A Test Board for the TTCdecs comprising socket and logic analyser leads is available. Additionally, we should remember that the new radiation hard TTCrx ASICs will require a redesign of the TTCdec card, and that this must be done fairly soon.

JEM and backplane status summary - Tony

Tony presented the status of the JEM and Processor backplane (PRB) work. Sam updated Tony on the status of the PRB, and indicated that the routing was progressing well, with C. Bohm taking care of the details personally. The target for completion of the routing is 31 July, and although the work is very time consuming it is nevertheless hoped to finish on target.

Concerning the bidding procedure, the bids are being examined and a choice must be made by 4 August, when the bidding procedure closes. It was noted that the backplanes will be delivered with connectors fitted, but will require manual removal of the 'extra' pins. (A piece of interesting news is that with the turmoil in the telecoms industry some components such as connectors are becoming much easier to obtain on short notice.)

Short term schedule - Tony

Tony updated us on the milestone status, and on the schedules which are pertinent. (ROD/TCM/VMM/PB; GTM/CPM/CP-CHIP/CMM) Items in which there is direct UK involvement are shown in blue in his transparencies. From this it is seen that one might anticipate the beginning of slice tests around Easter next year: The holding item would appear to be the CPM.

 


Hardware-related items

 

CANbus status - Dave

Dave Reported on the status of the Fujitsu CANbus work:

  • The ELMB code has been split into 2 pieces, one of which is h/w specific.
  • It has become clear that the Fujitsu has different timer characteristics from ELMB. Dave is working on a solution.

Dave agreed to provide Bob with Fujitsu code to test the TCM. He will visit RAL, with his testboard along for comparative purposes, to make initial tests of the Fujitsu on the TCM.

 


Software status

 

Online software packages and documents - Murrough

Murrough reported on the status of discussions which have taken place in an effort to define the "package" structure of our software. A context diagram and initial package definition are contained within a new draft document which attempts to define the packaging relevant to the level-1 calorimeter trigger.

Another important document which has emerged is a new requirements document. Its form and content make it more appropriate than its predecessor.

Both of these documents are the result of a good deal of internal discussion within the software group.

Murrough discussed the status of some additional draft documents, and the procedure which might be used to move them to reflect the software group consensus. It was suggested that the software people should come up with a proposal to define this procedure.

Simulation and test vectors - Steve

Steve indicated that he was currently working at high priority to produce vectors for James' CP-chip tests.

Offline trigger simulation status - Ed

Ed summarised the status of his work, indicating that he had been mostly fixing problems and fulfilling requests for functionality in his code. He has been in the process, also, of updating his code to support the evolving Athena, in particular StoreGate - which has been a major change. No significant new algorithmic changes (ie: no Jet trigger simulation) have been incorporated of late.

 


Items from T/DAQ week

 

LAr and TileCal receiver situation - Eric

Eric outlined the content of informal discussions with Bill Cleland, concerning the LAr receivers. These should be available next summer. Bill has some ideas about what arrangements might be made to build the TileCal receivers. It would be hoped that some design based on the LAr receivers might be found, but the group he has in mind can not at this point make a public commitment.

Rack layout developments - Murrough

Murrough gave an overview of discussions that he had with Mark Hatch. In particular, there are some new features in the USA-15 building:

  • There are to be 5 cable holes, not 3 as previously planned, with the central hole reserved for magnet cables.
  • The wall adjacent to the middle of our rack real estate really IS a wall.

Murrough discussed the relative advantages of symmetric and asymmetric arrangements for the trigger hardware. Asymmetry is preferred by some [eg, Eric], in particular as it would make the working conditions more acceptable.

Norman stressed that the final latency is as measured, and that one should optimise all effects that one can predict, in order to maintain contingency. There is, of course, additional freedom in the choice of the number of crates per rack: the use of this in latency optimisation could be considered.

Eric commented that it was hard to make decisions on what are somewhat nebulous criteria: it is not clear at the moment how to arrive at the best decision. It was suggested that one should stew a little on the latency figure in order to clarify the ideal choice.

RODs, ROD-crate DAQ, S-links, ROSs, and implications for final ROD design - Norman

Norman's presentation was divided into two parts.

The first was a discussion of RODs and S-Links. This was a continuation from earlier presentations (eg: Mainz) in which he addressed the question of the optimum number of RODS, as related to the number of S-Links each can support.

Norman flagged the availability of an S-Link transition module which provides up to 4 S-Link LDCs for connection through to the VME J2 and J3. Either the boards could be externally manufactured or the design brought back to RAL.

There are some technical questions to be followed up, for example the question of whether the placement of TTC or CAN on J0 would pose constraints on the physical form factor of the quad-board, but such a module would seem to address our needs in an ideal way.

In the second part of the talk, Norman began by outlining the main features of the 'online' and ROS subsystems. He continued by sketching the architecture and use of CERN Testbeam software. He then outlined the options for test systems, in particular for our own, and listed the main constraints that impose themselves on our choice of solution: "ROS-PC" or "ROD Crate/Test beam DAQ". Given these constraints [and in the absence of some which have been clarified since] he proposed the adoption of a solution of the latter variety.

 


AOB

 

Eric mentioned that he still had not received all contributions for the Mainz minutes, and requested that he should.

Good news from Mainz is that they will soon be joined by a new member, part of whose responsibility will be to contribute to the software effort.

Tony reminded the group of the upcoming LEB presentations, and the need to define who should write and present them. There are, it will be recalled, two twenty minute talks: one on the CP/JP ROD and another on the use of generic hardware adapted to specific applications by the variations in the firmware.

 


Next Meetings

 

  • October 15-19, 2001:    ATLAS Week (CERN)
  • November 8-10, 2001:   Level-1 Calorimeter Trigger Joint Meeting (RAL)
  • November 12-16, 2001: T/DAQ Week (NIKHEF, Amsterdam)


 


 

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