Valid since 04/14/01

How To Run Phobos Data Acquisition System

Login to the phobosx as user phobos

Locate terminal windows:

(if windows are not exist then start it using following commands:
dtterm -name phatdaq -sl 20000 &
dtterm -name runcontrol -geometry 80x12 &)

Start event builder in the phatdaq window:

Start run control macro in the runcontrol window:

After that command, the event builder will be waiting until all ROCs are connected. You should wait until it say 'Ready to start'

Run procedure

If online monitoring is required, make sure that the online computer is ready to analyze data.

To start run:

Enter one of the following start run commands:

Use following command to see if events are being recorded.

.x rc_command.C(16)

You also should see increased CPU, Disk and Packet activity in the performance monitor.
The phatdaq will report periodically (each 10 MB) updating of the data file. When the data file approaches 2GB limit, it will be automatically closed and a new file with incremented sequence number will be open. Make sure that there is enough free space on the disk, otherwise the program will halt.

To stop run:

.x rc_command.C(0)

If necessary, write out run comments to database using WWW brouser at https://www.phobos.bnl.gov/Secure/ASP/run_logbook_comment.asp

Pedestal Run

The pedestal run should be taken regularly.

To start:

.x rc_command.C(2,1+4+256*2)
(pedestal run with writing)

Stop run after 5-10 thousands events:

.x rc_command.C(0)

Calculate and transfer pedestals to the online by executing the following commands on a terminal window:

Calibration Run

The pedestal run should be taken regularly.

To start:

.x rc_command.C(2,1+4+256*1)
(calibration  run with writing)

Stop run after 5-10 thousand events, and execute following commands on a terminal window:

To move data files to HPSS:

/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/0
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/1
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/2
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/3
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/4
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/5
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/6
/export/home/phobsink/bin/write_to_RCF /data/7

Useful Commands:

general commands:

commands for experts

Notes:

  1. If phatdaq was killed or crashed when run was in progress then one need to restart all ROCs and init phatdaq.
  2. Closing the runcontrol will halt phatdaq.
  3. Do not enter init command twice!