Startup Options on the Web Server

Several tools are available on the web server to initialize and restore camera and spectrometer settings efficiently. These tools ensure that EPICS settings match the configurations stored in the camera server, preventing data acquisition issues due to misconfigurations.

Save and Restore for Camera Settings

SwissFEL cameras do not have a built-in save-and-restore function for settings. This tool allows Basler and PCO edge cameras to be configured with predefined settings stored in the camera server.

⚠️ Important: Applying saved settings momentarily stops running cameras (~1 second) and overwrites current settings.

Operation

The Camera Settings Panel is accessible via https://sf-photodiag-test.psi.ch/ under the Startup tab.

Cameras are grouped by beamline (e.g., Beamline Aramis, Beamline Athos, etc.). Pressing the relevant button applies settings to all cameras in the selected group, provided that their configuration file contains a hardware_configuration dictionary.

Camera Grouping

The tool uses the group field in the camera configuration to organize cameras into logical groups for easier bulk operations. Currently used groups include:

Beamline Aramis
Beamline Athos

Other groups can be added by modifying the camera configurations.

Database and Configuration Structure

The tool retrieves camera settings from configuration files stored on the camera server, accessible via CSM or API. Settings are stored in a dictionary called "hardware_configuration", which contains key-value pairs corresponding to EPICS process variables (PVs).

Example Camera Configuration

"hardware_configuration": {
  "EXPOSURE": 9.9,
  "HSSPEED": 1,
  "REGIONX_START": 1,
  "REGIONY_START": 500
}

Each key in "hardware_configuration" corresponds to a PV suffix for the respective camera. For example, for the camera SARFE10-PSSS059, the "EXPOSURE" setting will update the EPICS PV:

SARFE10-PSSS059:EXPOSURE → 9.9

Adding New Settings:
To include additional settings for a camera, edit its configuration file in the camera server, ensure the "hardware_configuration" dictionary is present, and add the required EPICS parameters.

Spectrometer Setup Panel

The Spectrometer Setup Panel ensures that spectrometers operate with the correct EPICS settings and that the energy axis is calibrated to match the camera’s current image dimensions.

What Happens When a Setup Button is Pressed?

When a Setup button is pressed for a spectrometer, the following process takes place:

Retrieve Stored Configuration
- The system loads the predefined EPICS settings from the camera server.
- Key parameters such as exposure time, binning, and trigger settings are retrieved.
Prepare the Camera for Update
- The camera is set to idle mode (CAMERASTATUS = 1) to allow safe modifications.
- The system waits for the camera to stop acquiring data before proceeding.
Apply Configuration Settings to EPICS
- Each stored setting is written to the corresponding EPICS PV.
Apply Settings Using SET_PARAM
- Once all values are updated, the system triggers SET_PARAM, instructing the camera to apply the new settings.
Update the Energy Axis Calibration
- The system determines the correct energy axis length based on camera image width or height.
- A new energy axis array is generated and written to SPECTRUM_X.
Restore Camera Status
- The system returns the camera to its original state (CAMERASTATUS is restored) after updating.
User Feedback
- A status message below each button confirms whether the update was successful or if an error occurred.

When Should These Buttons Be Used?

Use these buttons in the following cases:

Spectrometer data is not updating or is missing from the display.
Values appear incorrect or not aligned with expectations.
Camera or spectrometer settings were changed and need to be restored.
After a system reboot or power cycle to ensure proper configuration.

Example: Camera and Spectrometer Configuration Process

This example illustrates how settings are applied to an EPICS-controlled camera and spectrometer.

Example Configuration for a Spectrometer (`SARFE10-PSSS059`)

"hardware_configuration": {
  "EXPOSURE": 12.5,
  "TRIGGER": 1,
  "BINX": 2,
  "BINY": 2
}

When the setup button is pressed, the following EPICS PVs are updated:

SARFE10-PSSS059:EXPOSURE → 12.5
SARFE10-PSSS059:TRIGGER → 1
SARFE10-PSSS059:BINX → 2
SARFE10-PSSS059:BINY → 2

The system then applies SET_PARAM, recalibrates the energy axis, and restores the camera to its original state.

User Interface Overview

Below is a preview of the interface, showing the Camera Settings Panel and Spectrometer Setup Panel:

Conclusion

These tools ensure that SwissFEL cameras and spectrometers are correctly configured at startup, reducing downtime and preventing data acquisition errors due to misconfigured EPICS settings.

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