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JCOP Project Team Meeting
There were approximately 25 participants at the meeting.
1) Overview of the Systec CAN/USB Interface - Beat
Beat gave an overview of the history for the selection of the Systec box, the specification, its architecture and the requirements for the S/W. He also noted that in addition to the 16-port box there are also 8, 2 and single port modules. The major requirement for the S/W was to be able to support the existing ELMB and WIENER OPC servers which were developed to run with the Kvaser PCI cards. However, Beat noted that Systec claimed to be able to emulate the PEAK API and so in principle the Systec modules could also be used with ISEG but this still needs to be tested.
Beat's slides are available in InDiCo.
There was a question from Valeri regarding the actual cost of the various modules. Beat replied that the cost was as follows:
- Single port 149 Euros
- Dual port 169 Euros
- 16-port of the order of 900 Euros
2) Overview of the Systec/Kvaser Wrapper S/W - Danny
Danny gave an overview of his S/W and especially highlighted the restrictions. He emulates the Kvaser API functions required by the WIENER and ELMB OPC servers but by far not all existing functions. Therefore, there is no guarantee that his S/W will work for all CAN-applications. However, Beat noted that some LHCb users were using Danny's S/W with there own applications without problems.
Danny's slides are available in InDiCo.
It was noted that a Linux version of the Systec driver exists.
3) Experience at Cracow with the Systec Box and Associated S/W - Jolanta
Jolanta described the tests that have been performed in Cracow and the results obtained. Initial tests identified some problems that had not been seen with the set-ups at CERN. However, these issues are now resolved with the latest release of Danny's S/W. However, one issue remains and that is that when then USB cable iis unplugged and then plugged in again the applications do not reconnect. This requires that the applications be restarted and in some cases even requires that the PC be rebooted. Danny agreed to look into this.
Fernando enquired whether tests had been performed with high data rates, i.e. large numbers of CAN devices being readout at a high rate. This has not yet been tested. Fernando mentioned that a simulator exists for producing the high data rate and Jolanta stated that Piotr would potentially be available for such tests if the necessary H/W and S/W were made available in Cracow. To be followed up.
Jolanta's slides are available in InDiCo.
Wayne thanked Jolanta and her student Piotr for the work they have put in in helping to improve the S/W.
4) A.o.B
There will be a JCOP Project Team meeting on the 16th November at 11:00 in 160/1-009 where the differences between PVSS 3.6 and 3.1, from a developer's point of view, will be presented/demonstrated.
There are minutes attached to this event.
Show them.
