Slow Control Software

A second PC is used for tasks typically known as ``slow control''. This includes the control and monitoring of the cooling box as well as monitoring of the detector leakage currents.

The slow control software periodically reads the temperature measured by the connected probes and compares the set value to the actual temperature in a specified location. A PI controller algorithm is used to adjust the power such that the system follows the desired temperature. Moreover, the voltages and currents for the detector bias are monitored continuously. All data are logged to disk and compared with individual limits. An alarm condition is set when one or more limits are exceeded, which optionally generates an email or SMS notification.

A screenshot of the slow control software is shown in fig. , displaying the temperature and cooling power history during a test of the cooling box. Only a single power supply (with zero output) was connected at that time.

Figure: Screenshot of the slow control software.