Upgrade of hardware controls for the STAR experiment at RHIC

The STAR experiment has been delivering significant physics results for more than 20 years. Stable operation of the experiment was achieved by using a robust controls system based on the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). Now an object-oriented approach with Python libraries, adapted for EPICS software, is going to replace the procedural-based EPICS C libraries previously used at STAR. Advantages of the new approach include stability of operation, code reduction and straightforward project documentation. The first two sections of this paper introduce the STAR experiment, give an overview of the EPICS architecture, and present the use of Python for controls software. Specific examples, as well as upgrades of user interfaces, are outlined in the following sections.

Automated summary

The STAR experiment has delivered significant physics results for over 20 years with a controls system based on EPICS, which is now being replaced with a Python-based approach for improved stability and documentation. This paper introduces the experiment, EPICS architecture, and the use of Python for control software, with specific examples and UI upgrades outlined in subsequent sections.