Experiment Control System Choice

Introduction

Experiment controls systems can loosely be divided into three layers: the experiment control layer (ECS), slow controls layer (aka SCADA or DCS), and the field-bus level that actually communicates with sensors and actuators. Here I discuss the ECS, the level that has overall control of the entire running environment. See Slow Controls Framework Choice and Slow Controls Specifications for discussions of the two lower layers.

The LHCb web page puts it nicely: "LHCb's Experiment Control System is in charge of the configuration, control and monitoring of all the components of the online system. This includes all devices in the areas of: data acquisition, detector control (ex slow controls), trigger, timing and the interaction with the outside world."