The New Small Wheel Detector Control System of the ATLAS experiment

Abstract

A series of upgrades are planned for the LHC accelerator to increase its instantaneous luminosity to $7.5x{10^{34}}cm^{-2}s^{-1}$. The luminosity increase drastically impacts the ATLAS trigger and readout data rates. The present ATLAS Small Wheel Muon detector will be replaced with the New Small Wheel (NSW) detector which is expected to be installed in the ATLAS underground cavern by the end of the Long Shutdown 2 of the LHC. Due to its complexity and long-term operation, the NSW requires the development of a sophisticated Detector Control System (DCS). The use of such a system is necessary to allow the detector to function consistently and safely as well as to function as a seamless interface to all sub-detectors and the technical infrastructure of the experiment. The central system handles the transition between the probes possible operating states while ensuring continuous monitoring and archiving of the systems operating parameters. Any abnormality in any subsystem of the detector triggers a signal or alarm, which alerts the user and either adapts to automatic processes or allows manual actions to reset the system to function properly.