This is some data on how the system is actually getting installed.
Aug 28, 2001:
Preliminary tests of the GPS fibre to surface were successful last week. Final installation is being done now.
I have installed the TRC<->TRC master-slave timing cable as a standard
Cat5 (unshielded) cable. The WireTest device passed the cable for
10-T, 100-T and 1000-Tx networks. It shows a maximum attenuation
of 19 dB at 100 MHz, and a cable delay of 106 +/- 1 ns (or 74 feet total
length). It's been cable-tied to the VME racks, and has a black label
identifying it.
Aug 29, 2001:
It looks like the TRCs are not going to arrive today, but I leave Soudan
tomorrow, so here is a quick checklist for installation of the TRCs.
Make sure you look at the TRC info page before you begin, and run through
the checklist once before starting.
1) Unwrap the TRCs and visually inspect the circuitry.
2) Lay each TRC out on an anti-static pad. Look at the jumpers
and rotary (hex) switches on the board. On each board, set:
- The jumper on J600 to the 3rd position from the
bottom.
- The right hex switch (SW361) to 0.
3) Label one board the 'master'. On this board set the left hex switch (switch SW360) to '3'.
4) The other two boards are 'slaves'. Set the left hex switch (switch SW360) on each of these boards to '11' (or 'B' if it's marked in hex)
Time to put the hardware in. How this gets done depends on whether or not the 2-crate DAQ is working. I'm going to describe the final setup.
5) Move the TPC computer to the timing rack on the East side. Make sure to remove all cables before moving. It can go above or below the GPS reciever.
6) There are two long, grey serial cables that will run from the back of the TPC to the TRC card inside the VME crate (as with the prototype cards). String these cables through the cable trays and provide strain relief. These cables are marked 'TRC CTL' and 'TRC PPS', they go to COM ports 1 and 2 respectively, and to the top and bottom TRC serial ports.
7) There is a third serial cable marked 'TPC/GPS X-OVER' which should be used to connect the serial port on the TrueTime GPS reciever to the 3rd COM port on the TPC.
8) Remember to connect the TPC to the DAQ LAN and reboot it.
9) Turn off the VME crates. Remove the existing prototype TRC cards and store them in antistatic bags. If you had trouble with the jumper settings, these cards should be similar and correctly configured.
10) Insert the Master TRC into the west VME crate. Put it in the rightmost 3-connector VME slot. You will need to push on it fairly hard to ensure that it is seated correctly. The ejector handles may be used to lever it into place.
11) Turn on the VME crate. Ensure that one of the LEDs turns on and starts to flash. This is a good sign. Turn off the crate.
12) Attach the serial cables, and plug the TRC-TRC RJ45 connector into the port marked 'LVDS OUT #1' on the TRC.
13) Turn on the crate. Attempt to take 1-crate data from the East side.
14) Insert a Slave TRC, in the same fashion, in to the rightmost slot of the West VME crate. plug that end of the TRC-TRC cable into the 'LVDS IN' port. Power on the east side crate.
15) Take two-crate data!
Note that the timing delays between the TRCs are likely to create a ~60ns offset between the two crates. This will not be seen in pedestal or calInject data, but will show up with light injection and cosmic ray tracks. Compensation by firmware or offlline software will be required to correct for this.
Contact information for me is available on my main page. Call me if any step goes awry.