CMS Pixel commissioning

The CMS pixel detector constitutes the inner core of the tracking system. It is designed to provide three high-precision hits at least per track up to an acceptance in eta of ± 2.5. Together with the ATLAS and ALICE pixel detectors, it represents one of the biggest pixel systems ever built by our community. It consists of about 66 millions pixel cells, 150 × 100 ¿m2 area, distributed over three concentric barrel cylinders (48 millions) and four end-cap disks, two on each end of the barrel. In this talk, I will describe the main features of the system, the project requirements and the performance measured in several tests both on bench and beam, with particular emphasis on the expected radiation tolerance. I will then discuss the present status of the detector and the schedule for the installation. I will conclude with some considerations in view of the changes needed for SLHC.