tdct a Capfast replacement

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tdct a Capfast replacement

• R.Keitel
• Epics Collaboration Meeting, Vancouver 30-Apr-2009

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What is Capfast?
Electronics Design Tool, adapted to configure
EPICS databases

• Electronics Schematics editor
• Flexible
• Customizable
• Symbol editor
• Epics Symbol Library
• Translator Schematics ? EDIF
• EDIF to DB converter e2db
• Build IOC database
• .sch ? .edif ? .db

Commercial Phase 3 Logic
EPICS
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What about Capfast?

• Does Hierarchy really well
• User-customizable symbols
• Can use graphics to enhance understanding
• ASCII data and configuration files
• ---
• Is not EPICS aware (i.e. enumerated menus)
• Arcane user interface
• Displays only one schematic
• Was adapted for EPICS but not built for EPICS
• Licence issues

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Capfast at TRIUMF

• History
• Wanted to use hierarchy
• We instantiate devices from a relational
  databasebut
• Want to see all levels in graphics

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Capfast at TRIUMF

• Object-like device implementation
• Schematics ?? object
• Hierarchy
• Sub-system (collection of device objects) ?
  EPICS .db
• Device
  (components EPICS records)-- Component
  (components EPICS
  records) .-- primitive Component
  (EPICS records)

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Capfast Hierarchy Sub-system level
Generated from relational database
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Capfast Hierarchy Sub-system level
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Capfast Hierarchy Device Level
drawn with schematics editor
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Why replace Capfast?

• ---
• Arcane user interface
• Displays only one schematic
• Was adapted for EPICS but not built for EPICS
• Licence issues
• TRIUMF specific
• Mixed shop - Windows, Linux
• Dongles dont work any more
• I needed a break from paper pushing
• Future
• Java IOC ???

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Why not VDCT

• substantial investment in Capfast components
• VDCT is not graphical

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tdct features

• Java cross platform
• Capfast compatible (caution reengineered TRIUMF
  use)
• EPICS aware
• One stop shopping
• Schematics editor
• Symbol editor
• Data base generator (single and batch)
• Error checking of schematic drawings
• Fix a few Capfast bugs

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tdct status

• Release 0.99
• Testing and feature tweaks
• gt90 of TRIUMF data bases built identical
• Started using tdct for production
• Will abandon Capfast soon
• thanks to Rod Nussbaumer for testing and feature
  suggestions
• BTW screen dumps were from tdct

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tdct road map

• Ideas
• Merge schematic and symbol files
• Add channel access for live display(???
  Because of RNs sch2edl converter)
• Look at supporting java IOC
• Your ideas?
• Do nothing beyond what we have
• Problems
• Legal ?
• open office version of Capfast
• resources

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Thank you