An accelerator operator´s companion for the McMaster University Model FN tandem accelerator

A prototype accelerator operator´s companion was developed to investigate the feasibility of automating the operation of the McMaster University Model FN Van De Graaff accelerator. Its purpose is to provide the accelerator staff with a working model with which they can experiment and which would motivate discussions to further pinpoint their needs. Initial needs and goals were established at the outset of this project and, on the whole, were met with this first version of the software system. As presently constituted, the operator´s companion functionally provides an electronic log book system that stores all the operating parameters, a procedures system that presents the operating procedures with the appropriate operating parameters embedded in them at display time, and a diagnostic system that is able to diagnose problems associated with the accelerator when utilizing information from the log book and input from the user. Through discussions with the accelerator staff at various stages throughout the development and at the final evaluation, important feedback was generated, which helped to define operational needs further