Using modern software tools to design, simulate and test a Level 1 trigger sub-system for the D Zero detector

Abstract

This paper describes a system which uses a commercial spreadsheet program and commercial hardware on an IBM PC to develop and test a track finding system for the D Zero Level 1 scintillating Fiber Trigger. The trigger system resides in a VME crate. This system allows the user to generate test input, write the pattern to the hardware, simulate the results in software, read the hardware result, compare the results and inform the user of any differences.

Real-time data reorganizer for the D0 central fiber tracker trigger system at Fermilab

“…A custom test-board called the Datapump [6] was used to exercise the mixer subsystem input links with test patterns and analyze the mixer subsystem output links. The Datapump testboard was connected to a host computer's parallel port and controlled by a user interface based on MS Excel™ [19]. This test system allowed comparing the data transmitted on the mixer subsystem output links with the software-generated expected data and to verify mixer board diagnostic functionality.…”

Real-time data reorganizer for the D0 central fiber tracker trigger system at Fermilab

“…The Datapump testboard was connected to a host computer's parallel port and controlled by a user interface based on MS Excel™ [19]. This test system allowed comparing the data transmitted on the mixer subsystem output links with the software-generated expected data and to verify mixer board diagnostic functionality.…”