Minutes/Action items of "Instrumentation-Systems-SDA" monthly meeting
July 2, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


D. Capista, M. Convery, B. Hendricks, A. Ibrahim, C. McClure, T. Meyer,
V. Papadimitriou, J. Patrick, S. Pruss, R. Thurman-Keup, J. Zagel



We discussed the following:
--------------------------


1) Status of the Main Injector IPM
Jim Zagel

2) Main Injector FLying Wire tests 
Jim Zagel

3) " Multi-batch proton loading at Main Injector "
Discussion on the mechanics,  instrumentation (SBD, FW, FBI, etc)
and SDA issues 
All

4) RFT status
Craig McClure


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusions-Action Items:


i) As per recent discussions with Ioanis, Dave and Randy, we will not switch yet   
officially to the new algorithm for the Main Injector longitudinal emittance. 
We will wait for a shutdown that will help address the "ringing" issue that was
discussed in our previous meeting before we go ahead with the switch. 


ii) MI IPM:

New code (which incorporates measurement specs similar to Flying wires) has been 
developed, tested and propagated to all three Main Injector front-end systems 
(the electrostatic MI10H(V)IPM and the magnetic IPMM2H). 
IPMM2H has been timed for pbar transfers as well as Tevatron shots. The 
electrostatic ones are in the process of being timed in. After timed in, they will 
be incorporated into the Main Injector sequencer for pbar transfers and Tevatron 
shots. The information available will be position and sigma vs turn number for the 
first 500 turns. The Front End can write an excel file with this data.
We will discuss in a smaller group the best way to acquire this data 
(dataloggers/SDA, etc.). An application page is also under preparation.


iii) MI Flying Wire tests: 

As discussed in the previous meeting, several tests were
performed for the MI Flying Wires (tension, vibration, etc.)
In the mean time four new Main Injector FW forks have been built (3 to be installed
and 1 spare).
A spare Main Injector FW can is in the process of being cleaned and prepared
for vacuum pump down. When ready, the wire will be remounted and tests will be
repeated in vacuum. 


iv) For the multi-batch proton loading, the plan is that we will load two proton
batches (groups of 7) at a time.

During the test store 6249, the FBI and SBD front ends worked and saw two 
independent batches. The Main Injector Flying Wires are currently unable to resolve 
two proton batches due to slower Comet ADC boards. This will be addressed by changing to new
faster ADC boards. The new digitizers are built and are currently being tested.
In addition, during store 6249 the Main Injector sequencer was not used,
and therefore we got no meangful data for the Flying wires.
The BLT will need to update the measurement spec files to accomodate  multi-batch
proton injection.


For the next test store, expected during the week of July 7, we plan to:

1) Use the Main Injector shot setup sequencer (this will allow as well for some FW
data to be collected)

2) The SBD01(4)E arrays will be extended in SDA to accomodate the second batch.
(The FBI arrays have been already adjusted appropriately)

3) We will check if SDA can collect on V:XFER instead of V:NXBNCH
(Kevin will verify if this can happen easily)

4) We need a device in SDA that gets set appropriately depending on if we
do multibatch proton loading or not. Such a device can then be used within
the Supertable and summary tables code to allow for the flexibility of
computing the needed quantities automatically, independent of the mode
we are running.  


v) The new RFT board is being laid out right now. The expectation is to have
a tested board available for use sometime in August. It was also noted that two
repaired VRFT boards are available which can be used in an emergency situation.
(One of the two is currently being used by Jim Zagel in the Flying Wire test stand). 



Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2008. We will try
to move our meetings to 2:30 pm from now on, to accomodate the Recycler 
group that had to move their meeting earlier.
I am trying to find out if the Huddle can be available at this later time. 

Vaia