SPS and LEP controls, status and evolution towards the LHC era

LEP was the first CERN accelerator to be built with a Control System based largely on off-the-shelf technology. Operational experience has confirmed the strategies of the original design. However, to maintain this system, components have to be renewed and in order to meet the increasing user demands the system requires continuous investment. These factors have ensured that the Control System is still based on a modern computer infrastructure and the recent extension to the SPS machine and its Experimental Areas has been achieved without any specific developments of the basic infrastructure. Increasingly, complete industrial systems are replacing old and obsolete equipment of the accelerators and technical services. Strategies are evolving to interface and progressively integrate Industrial Control Systems into the existing infrastructure. We present a status report of the Control System today and describe the current work to upgrade and prepare it for future applications in the LHC era

Using Constructivist Case Study Methodology to Understand Community Development Processes: Proposed Methodological Questions to Guide the Research Process

Often, research projects are presented as final products with the methodologies cleanly outlined and little attention paid to the decision-making processes that led to the chosen approach. Limited attention paid to these decision-making processes perpetuates a sense of mystery about qualitative approaches, particularly for new researchers who will likely encounter dilemmas and uncertainties in their research. This paper presents a series of questions that assisted one Ph.D. student in making key methodological choices during her research journey. In this study, a collective case study design informed by constructivist grounded theory data analysis methods was used to develop a framework of community development from an occupational therapy perspective. Ten methodological questions are proposed regarding research question development, research paradigm, design and analysis, and trustworthiness. Drawing on examples from this research project, these questions are used to explicate the decisions made “behind the scenes”, with the intention of providing both theoretical and practical guidance to others embarking on similar research journeys

Summary and Recommendations from the Review of LTI and CNGS Controls held at CERN on July 10th, 2001

The Review of LHC Transfer lines and Injection (LTI) and CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso (CNGS) Controls was the first overview of requirements and preparations for the control of these facilities. Participants were asked to outline work that was already underway or planned in order to build an account of activities and responsibilities. The control of CNGS facilities downstream of the primary target was not included

A Staged Approach to LHC Commissioning

Effective commissioning of the LHC with beam will demand very good preparation; all concerned subsystems will need to be well-prepared and thoroughly tested before first beam. To clarify the demands on the systems involved the objectives of the commissioning phases are presented, along with a breakdown of the phases and the essential prerequisites for each. The nature of the interdependencies between the various systems is highlighted; in particular the need for a well-planned commissioning of the machine protection system

Summary of the LHC Controls and Operations Forum held at CERN on 1-2 December 1999

The LHC Controls-Operations Forum in December attempted to identify the challenges of running the LHC and the implications for controls and equipment. An outline of the forum, its objectives, summaries of the various sessions, conclusions and some recommendations are presented. It is anticipated that this information will act as input into current and future development