This document describes how to configure and use the NSCLDAQ support for the new generation of CAEN VXxxxx digitizers. I assume that:
You have a basic familiarity with NSCLDAQ, how to configure it and how to use its event builder.
You have a basic familiarity with how to use and tailor the SpecTcl analysis package (if you choose to use this for analysis).
You are familiar with the configuration parameters of the DPP-PHA firmware supported by these modules.
Note that NSCLDAQ and SpecTcl documentation are all online at http://docs.nscl.msu.edu/daq. Problems and questions about NSCLDAQ and SpecTcl (outside the scope of the CAEN Vxxxx digitizers) should be addressed to mailto:helpme@frib.msu.edu.
The document is therefore organized into the following chapters:
Getting Data describes how to create and configure a customized Readout program which will inject data from a set of ADCs into the NSCLDAQ data flow system. Within that chapter, Obtaining and modifying the skeleton describes the changes needed to the SBS readout skeleton. The format of events readout by this program will also be described. Configuring modules describes how the modules are configured and how to write a configuration file for your readout software.
Configuring SpecTcl describes how to build a tailored version of SpecTcl to produce raw parameters from the modules you are reading out.
For those interested an appendix describes the structure of the software as well as items for further development.
The tclreadout subdirectory of the source tree gives a sample tailored readout program for the readout software described in Getting Data. The tclreadout/SpecTcl subdirectory of the source tree gives a sample tailored SpecTcl program for this example.