XTC1 testing procedure

general

• all testing is performed in the tstxft2 crate with the TDC in slot 11.
• log into the crate
  • setup fer
  • vxcom tstxft2
  • note that you are using vxxcom for XTC1 testing and vxlogin for XTC2 testing
  • note that to log out you have to type "ctrl-A ." (or close the window).
• in another window log in as cdf_xft
• start the XTC test GUI with the command TDC
• first run the quick test (using the Quick button) four or five times and check that there are no errors.
  • if you hit quick right after you insert the TDC you might see an error on every event. if that happens run the quick test again and the error should disappear.
• run the full test (using the Full button).
  • if you encounter errors, reboot the crate by typing reboot in the crate window. also restart the GUI by hitting ctrl-C in the terminal window and typing TDC again. for all intents and purposes the test failed.
  • at the end of the test the program will print out a rating (Pass, Marginal or FAIL). is is not finished until it prints this rating.

rating TDCs

• To rate the TDCs a sequence of tests with several different XTCs is used (17, 68, 154, 102). The outcome of the rating is a grade that is indicated by a single letter (A, B, C, D, F).
• The test results are marked on the TDC using round label stickers:
  • use green for grade A and B, yellow for grade C and D and red for grade F
  • write the grade at the top of the sticker, the date in the middle and your initials at the bottom.
  • place the sticker between the third and the fourth connector on the front. if there is a property sticker, place it between the second and third connector instead. if there are any other stickers on the front remove them.
  • send me (nils@fnal.gov) an e-mail, if you mark any TDC with F
• In addition the results of the test are recorded in my logbook sitting next to the teststands.
• If a TDC receives the results Pass or Marginal with a specific XTC it is considered to pass with that XTC.
• If a TDC fails the Full or the Quick test with an XTC it is considered to have failed with that XTC.
• in the logbook the actual test result is recorded.
  • write quick if the TDC already failed the quick test
• before running the actual test, run the XTC2 register test
• First run the test with XTC number 68:
  • if 68 passes run the test with XTC number 17:
    • if 17 passes the TDC gets the grade A
    • if 17 fails the TDC gets the grade B
  • if 68 fails run the test with XTC number 154:
    • if 154 passes the TDC gets the grade C
    • if 154 fails run the test with XTC number 102:
      • if 102 passes the TDC gets the grade D
      • if 102 passes the TDC gets the grade F

outfitting TDCs with XTCs

• please use only XTC1s from the box of spare XTC1s. XTC1s coming up from the detector should be retested before they are used again.
• only use XTC1s which have a label "works" on them
• never use the reference XTC1s (17, 68, 102, 154)
• in normal situations put XTC1s on grade A and grade B TDCs, put XTC2s on grade C and grade D TDCs, and set aside grad F TDCs for further testing
• the final TDC/XTC combination needs to be tested. if that test fails, try a different combination. neither TDC nor XTC is considered to be bad just for failing in this combination
• XTC2 testing procedures can be found here
• for XTC1s write the serial number of the XTC in the logbook next to the entries with the test results.