Track Extrapolation and Distribution for the CDF-II Trigger System

The CDF-II experiment is a multipurpose detector designed to study a wide range of processes observed in the high energy proton-antiproton collisions produced by the Fermilab Tevatron. With event rates greater than 1MHz, the CDF-II trigger system is crucial for selecting interesting events for subsequent analysis. This document provides an overview of the Track Extrapolation System (XTRP), a component of the CDF-II trigger system. The XTRP is a fully digital system that is utilized in the track-based selection of high momentum lepton and heavy flavor signatures. The design of the XTRP system includes five different custom boards utilizing discrete and FPGA technology residing in a single VME crate. We describe the design, construction, commissioning and operation of this system.Comment: 34 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Nucl.Inst.Meth.

Quality Beef by the Numbers

“Putting it all together” are the words that best describe the essence of the “Quality Beef by the Numbers Program”. In these challenging times connecting all the aspects of the beef industry from birth to the consumer becomes increasingly important. We find ourselves in an era of new technology. This new technology gives us tools that offer the potential to significantly increase profit. Access to and implementation of these technologies becomes important to the longer term survivability of producers. As a lifetime cattle producer, I’ve never been more excited about our industry. What’s the exciting part? The easy answer is the production, marketing and analysis tools available to us today. Fixed-time AI, EPD’s, grid marketing, performance records and the ability to apply an economic analysis of these practices in your herds, is what the “Quality Beef by the Numbers” program is all about

Energy and Process Assessment Protocol For Industrial Buildings

As part of its research and reimbursable program, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has developed the Energy and Process Assessment Protocol for Industrial Buildings and performed supporting showcase assessments at selected U.S. Army Installations. This effort was undertaken to help garrisons achieve energy reduction goals and meet EPAct 2005 mandates, and also to address production and maintenance needs at U.S. Army Arsenals and Depots. The Protocol is partly the result of an international collaboration under the International Energy Agency “Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems” Annex 46, Subtask A.A group of government, institutional, and private sector parties developed the Protocol to help users (facility energy managers, in-house energy assessment groups, companies providing energy assessments, universities conducting energy assessment, and Energy Service Performance Contractors) perform Industrial and Energy Optimization assessments. The Protocol is based on an analysis of information gathered from literature, training materials, documented and non-documented practical experiences of contributors, and successful showcase energy assessments at U.S. Army facilities. It addresses both technical and non-technical organizational capabilities required for successful assessment geared to identifying energy and other operating costs reduction measures without adversely impacting product quality, safety, morale, or environment