IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS UNIT IS SWITCHED OFF ONCE THE RUN IS COMPLETE OTHERWISE FALSE BEAM-BEAM TRIGGERS WILL BE GENERATED!  

The time calibrator needs to be switched on.  This will send a stop pulse into the test input for all discriminators connected to the fastbus.  These discriminators are the trigger discriminators, the time zero discriminators, and the TOF discriminators.  This unit will generate false paddle coincidence triggers, since the main trigger is generated with the timing signals with the paddles.   Since our triggers are being sent to MCR, it is important to inform them that this run will be taken place.  Tell MCR that you are doing a time calibration run and ask if there will be beam in the area.  Furthermore, the scalers need to be vetoed.  This is done by switching a logic unit in the electronics room to AND mode.  The logic unit is located in the Trigger NIM Crate D, slot 12, channel D.  

For a quick check of the electronic setting, go to the common run mode settings table. 

To provide a start for the fastbus, channel D on the 4-fold logic unit in the NIM bin above the fastbus needs to be unmasked.  Channels A, B, and C have to be masked. 

The DAQ run type is FBTIME.

A calibration run should be taken at least once a day. Since there is a signal in each channel for all events, it is only necessary to take up to 10,000 events for statistical purposes, this take about 10 minutes at 17Hz.

This run is used for time gain calibration of  the Fastbus TDC modules, yet it can also be used to determine the fastbus pedestals as well.  

To determine the time gain calibration values and write them to database, run the FBGainCalc macros., 

The RHIC scalars will count if these steps are not followed in order.

   Step by Step:

   Section A:

1. Is FEC Power Supply Low voltage on?
2. If yes, go to Section B (Si Low Voltage On).
3. If no, go to Section C (Si Low Voltage Off).

    Section B (Si Low Voltage On): 

1. Call MCR, tell them that you are doing a time calibration run and that the scalers Phobos is sending them will be trigging. 
2. Determine if  there will be beam in the area within the next 10 minutes.
3. Stop the scaler that counts the Events Accepted  in the console by switching the start/stop switch.
4. Disable Silicon by clicking on Si Is Enabled.  The check mark will be removed if the Si is disabled.
5. Start DAQ with the run type as FBTIME, Fastbus enabled, and Silicon disabled.
6. Turn on time calibration module in NIM bin above fastbus.
7. Make sure the Period = 0.02 microseconds and the Range = 0.64 microseconds.
8. Enable channel D in the upper module of the 4-fold logic unit.
9. Collect 10,000 events.  This takes about 7 minutes at 25Hz.
10. Click Stop Run on the DAQ Gui.
11. Disable channel D in 4-fold logic unit.
12. Turn off time calibration module.
13. Start and stop an ALLBEAM run without writing before beginning any new data taking. 
14. Restart the Events Accepted scaler by switching the start/stop switch.
15. Run FBGainCalc macros to determine time gains. 

   Section C (Si Low Voltage Off):     

1. Call MCR, tell them that you are doing a time calibration run and that the scalers Phobos is sending them will be trigging. 
2. Determine if  there will be beam in the area within the next 10 minutes.
3. Stop the scaler that counts the Events Accepted  in the console by toggling the start/stop switch.
4. Start DAQ with the run type as FBTIME, Fastbus enabled, and Silicon enabled. 
5. Turn on time calibration module in NIM bin above fastbus.
6. Make sure the Period = 0.02 microseconds and the Range = 0.64 microseconds.
7. Enable channel D in the upper module of the 4-fold logic unit.
8. Collect 10,000 events.  This takes about 7 minutes at 25Hz.
9. Disable channel D in 4-fold logic unit.
10. Turn off time calibration module.
11. Click Stop Run on the DAQ Gui.
12. Restart the Events Accepted scaler by switching the start/stop switch.
13. Run FBGainCalc macros to determine time gains.