Speaker
Description
As the European Spallation Source gets closer to steady state operations (SSO), and the start of the scientific user program, the ways of working needs to change. In order to maintain a reliable accelerator for the neutron source, and achieve the 95% uptime of the facility, it is important to have accurate fault logging, be prepared for difficult issues and avoid prolonged fault-finding investigations when maintenance windows are more restricted, especially overnight when resources are even more reduced.
The hardware group within the Integrated Controls Systems (ICS) division are responsible for the setup and maintenance of >300 Micro TeleCommunication Architecture (MTCA) systems for fast speed data acquisition across several sub-systems such as RF, Timing Distribution, Beam Instrumentation and Fast Beam Interlock Systems. It is also expected to procure and manage many spare components used within each MTCA system. The construction phase of the project highlighted several aspects that potentially might be challenging during the start of SSO; such as managing of inventory, limited detailed descriptions of bugs and other problems, and ensuring clearly defined boundaries with system owners.
This next year will be important to address these and make use of the many bytes of collected data to develop easy but effective ways of working for a reliable fast speed control system.