Next actions to improve any software release from what concerns power converter control in SM18

Thursday 18 Jul 2019, 09:00 → 10:00 Europe/Zurich

SM18 (CERN)

Following these few weeks of unstable conditions of powering control using the 2kA COMBO power converter, it is clearly agreed by everybody present at the meeting that the 2 main problems were unexpected communication/control problems with FGC63 (TE-EPC-CCS) and gateway replacement without preliminary notice (BE-CO-IN). Hubert (EN-SMM-MTA) made a non- exhaustive list of investigations.

Such a situation is unacceptable from magnet test point of view (TE-MSC-TF), as a lot of pressure is put on Hi-Lumi magnet test schedule. These breakdowns did cost a lot in terms of magnet test delay.

This very strict schedule should be the input for any modification, test or upgrade from all involved team in future.

Consequently, as a starting point, TE-MSC-TF will make accessible the test planning weekly updated to every player from the list above.

Any change requested by any team should be announced few months in advance for anticipation and to give enough time for new developments, tests (in lab, in simulation) and commissioning (in short circuit and on a magnet) to any involved team. The team responsible of original request should give a proposal of a delivery date, accordingly to best guests from schedule, to be validated by any player and of course by final user being TE-MSC-TF. For better understanding of the requested change, TE-MSC-TF would anyway propose at that time a coordination meeting to get a global view of impacts and to clear details.

Given the experience from the development of Cluster D 30 kA and Cluster D 2 kA circuits, not enough commissioning time was foreseen to validate the global behaviour of the control software of the powering. The commissioning time is very important given the variety of the layers and of the teams involved and would save longer troubleshooting time during operation. For future developments (new test benches or new systems being installed), TE-MSC-TF should foresee in advance and integrate a sufficient amount of time (to be defined with the experts) for the commissioning of the control of the powering systems, most importantly on the final layout of the circuit (with a magnet). This phase should be clear in the planning and communicated in advance to the concerned parties with the estimated dates.

Quentin has already announced an upgrade for the 19th of August, sticking to LINAC 4 schedule.

Modifications to be done consequently are under discussion in between Quentin and Hubert.

Depending on weekly upgrade of the magnet test planning, it may be that this date cannot be kept. Marta would then clarify priorities with our management in between LINAC 4 and SM18.

09:00 → 10:00 Discussion

Dear all,

Following the numerous problems these past weeks to control power converters in SM18, we would like to discuss an action plan to be taken in future to exclude such situations being unacceptable from the point of view of delay caused in magnet operation. The magnet test plan is very crowded, and cannot be disrupted this way.

• Few discussions have already clarified the breakdown sources. I think everyone involved has now established his responsibility in the process. We may discuss it shortly.
• Main subject to concentrate on will then be to take decisions on what to do next to avoid such a situation. Please come with your requests, observations, and action list for future improvements.

Cheers.

Maryline.

SM18 planning (EDMS)

SM18-POWER-Debugging-June_July-2019-v2.pdf