Rapid software development for experiment control at OPAL
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Date
2005-11-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Bragg Institute, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
ANSTO is undertaking the parallel development of instrument control and graphical experiment interface software for seven neutron beam instruments at OPAL. Each instrument poses several challenges for a common system solution, including custom detector interfaces, a range of motion and beamline optics schema, and a spectrum of online data reduction requirements. To provide a superior system with the least development effort, the computing team have adopted proven, configurable, server-based control software (SICS)1., a highly Integrated Scientific Experimental Environment (GumTree)2. and industry-standard database management systems. The resulting graphical interfaces allow operation in a familiar experiment domain, with monitoring of data and parameters independent of control system specifics. GumTree presents the experimenter with a consistent interface for experiment management, instrument control and data reduction tasks. The facility instrument scientists can easily reconfigure instruments and add ancillaries. The user community can expect a reduced learning curve for performing each experiment. GumTree can be installed anywhere for pre-experiment familiarisation, postprocessing of acquired data sets, and integration with third party analysis tools. Instrument scientists are seeing faster software development iterations and have a solid basis to prepare for the next suite of instruments. 1. SICS from PSI (lns00.psi.ch). 2. GumTree (gumtree.sourceforge.net), new site: http://gumtree.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page. © The Authors
Description
Physical copy held by ANSTO Library at DDC 539.7217/2
Keywords
Experimental data, Particle beams, Planning, Programming, OPAL Reactor, ANSTO, Computer codes, Neutron beams
Citation
Hathaway, P. V., Lam, T., Franceschini, F., Hauser, N., & Rayner, H. (2005). Rapid software development for experiment control at OPAL. Paper presented at the Eighth International Conference on Neutron Scattering ICNS 2005: "Neutrons for structure and dynamics - a new era", Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia, 27 November-2 December 2005. In Final Programme and Abstract Book, (p. 181).