The ALICE Silicon Pixel Detector Control and Calibration Systems

Over the last years the complexity and the size of the experiments in high energy physics have increased exponentially. Proportionately to that we have also witnessed a significant increase in sophistication of the auxiliary systems. The ALICE Silicon Pixel Detector (SPD) Detector Control System (DCS) has to control and to monitor all hardware and software components of the detector and of the necessary infrastructures. In so doing the DCS assumes a key role extending its functionalities well over the simple control and monitoring of the detector. The unique feature of the SPD DCS is that it is not only controlling but also operating and calibrating the SPD Front End Electronics. This increased complexity requires a high level of synchronization between the system components and a fast system response. The manuscript describes in details the system design concept and the actual implementation of the ALICE SPD control system. This practical implementation study can serve as an example to anyone interested in developing high speed and large bandwidth control systems. It can also serve as a HEP detector design overview with particular focus on calibration strategies and results.