Logging information about runs

In addition to controlling data taking, the DAQ system also allows you to record metadata about each run. This includes information about when the runs started and stopped along with metadata about the conditions during the run. This is intended to replace a physical log book with run data sheets. The set of items that are recorded is customizable, but there are a few fields which are always recorded.

Default run information

The default set of information will be recorded for every run, regardless of configuration. This set of fields includes the following:

• A sequential run number
• A run class identifying the type of the run. Options include “Testing”, “Production”, “Beam”, “Pulser”, and “Junk.”
• A title or label for the run
• The date and time when the run started and ended
• The name of the config file(s) used for this run

Adding additional fields

In addition to these defaults, any number of custom fields can be added. These fields, known in the DAQ software as observables can be used to record detector parameters like voltages and pressures. These should be set up at the beginning of an experiment, but they can also be added later.

To set up observables, click “Observables” under “Setup” in the left-hand menu. This will bring you to a list of the observables that are currently set up in the system. Add a new one by clicking the “Add” button in the top right corner of the “Observables” panel.

Tip

Observables in this list can be reordered by clicking and dragging the handle on the left-hand side of each row. This order will be remembered, and the fields for the observables will be presented in this order when entering run information.

An observable has four properties that you can set:

Name

The name of the measurement. Choose something descriptive, but don’t include units. They will be added later.

Value type

What type of data is this? Options include integer, floating point, and string values.

Units

The units this will be recorded in. This is just for display, and no unit conversions will be done by the software.

Comment

This optional comment will be shown next to the field on the run data sheet for this observable. This could be used to make a brief note of how to take a particular measurement, for example.

Fill these fields in and click “Submit” to add a new observable.