Remote control of a streak camera for real time bunch size measurement in LEP

A double sweep streak camera, built by industry according to CERN specifications, has been used for a number of years to provide real time three-dimensional measurements of bunches in LEP, by means of a dedicated synchrotron light source. Originally requiring local manipulation in an underground lab close to the LEP tunnel, the camera can now be fully operated via the control system network. Control functions, such as the adjustment of lens and mirror positions, the selection of camera weep speeds, and the setting of 12 ps resolution trigger timing, are handled by various networked VME systems, as is real time image processing. Bunch dimension averages are transferred every few seconds via the control system to the LEP measurement database, and a dedicated high bandwidth video transmission allows the streak camera images and processed results to be viewed in real time (at 25 Hz) in the LEP control room. Feedback control loops for light intensity, trigger timing and image tracking allow the setup to provide useful bunch images and logged measurements over extended periods, without human intervention. An X-Window based control application (GUI) will allow LEP machine operators to select different bunches for display and measurement. The same application allows the specialists to control all parameters of the system.