CERN Beam Control GUI

This repository presents a user interface prototype designed and developed at CERN during my internship within the SY/ABT (Beam Transfer) group in 2025. The application provides real-time control and monitoring functionality for beam transfer devices involved in injection and extraction processes.

Note: This repository contains only demonstration UI files and screenshots. The full source code and device communication logic are internal to CERN and not publicly shared.

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Project Overview

The goal of this project was to build a flexible, responsive, and maintainable graphical interface to operate and monitor FESA-controlled beamline components. These components include individual state machines ("steps") and central control devices ("core").

The interface is aimed at supporting both operators and engineers by offering a real-time view of system status, command execution, and device-level diagnostics.

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My Role and Contributions

I was responsible for designing and implementing the full application structure and user interface from the ground up. This included:

1. GUI Architecture and Design

• Designed a modular layout using PyQt6 and Qt Designer, enabling reusability across multiple views.
• Built and connected individual components such as:
  • OverviewWidget – shows the full list of devices with ON/OFF access
  • StepDetailsDialog – provides deep inspection per device
  • MainWindowWidget – global control area for core commands

2. Real-Time Command Handling

• Implemented asynchronous command dispatch using asyncio and qasync to handle:
  • Device commands (start, stop, reset)
  • Interlock masking and resets
  • Feedback masking
• Ensured proper FESA protocol compliance using double-latching/unlatching mechanisms.

3. Device Communication Abstraction

• Developed integration layers to interact with:
  • Configuration and Acquisition data models
  • Step and core command interfaces via PyDA (JAPC client)
• Parsed and transformed raw data into dynamic visual components (status, timers, transitions, etc.).

4. Interlock and Feedback System

• Created a detailed interlock visualization system:
  • Mask and acknowledge buttons with live feedback
  • LED-style indicators and status-based row coloring
• Built logic to handle masking rules: masked interlocks allow device start, while still indicating faults.

5. Global Control Support

• Added global ON/OFF/RESET buttons for controlling the entire device group.
• Ensured synchronization between global commands and individual step states.

6. Project Refactoring

• Refactored all helper modules (command_helper.py, step_state.py, etc.) for reuse and clarity.
• Applied multiple FIXME and TODO resolutions to simplify the codebase and reduce duplication.
• Organized code into src/ layout and abstracted reusable logic into utils.py.

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Technology Stack

• PyQt6 – for GUI components and layout
• Qt Designer – for visual UI design
• asyncio and qasync – for non-blocking UI updates and background communication
• JAPC (Java API for Parameter Control) – used via pyda to interact with CERN FESA devices
• FESA Explorer – for dynamic device discovery

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Screenshots

Main Overview Page

Screenshot of the device overview page, showing interlock/mask status and device state buttons.

Step Details Page

Screenshot of an individual device's detail dialog with interlocks, feedbacks, and controls.

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Repository Contents

This repository includes:

• src/ui/ – UI design files created in Qt Designer
• prev_overview.png / prev_details.png – sample screenshots for documentation and demonstration
• README.md – project description (this file)

No logic or device interaction code is publicly included.

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License

No open-source license is applied to this repository. The UI designs and visuals are provided for reference and demonstration only. For usage or reuse, please contact the author.

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Contact

Feel free to reach out via GitHub or LinkedIn for questions or collaboration.