Starting in 2020, GSI and FAIR have been power users of White Rabbit switches provided by Creotech. FAIR, located at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, is one of the world’s largest and most ambitious research infrastructures.
One of the key challenges at GSI/FAIR is the synchronization of a long and complex chain of accelerators and associated equipment, many of which must operate in parallel to support multiple research programs. This is achieved by the General Machine Timing (GMT) system, a distributed event generation system based on precise timing. Time synchronization and clock distribution at the nanosecond level is ensured using a White Rabbit network, with all nodes connected via Ethernet through White Rabbit switches.
“For the GSI facility, we already have over 70 switches in operation, and for FAIR, we expect over 200 additional switches within the next two years,” says Dr. Frederic Ameil, Project Coordinator for the Sub-Project Accelerator Control System.
In addition, GSI/FAIR has supplemented its MTCA-based data acquisition hardware with modules from Creotech, such as the AFC V4, which also supports White Rabbit.
So far, the successful delivery of the White Rabbit switches by Creotech has included, among others:
• Manufacturing of electronics (PCB assembly performed with full traceability, following IPC standards, in a cleanroom environment on CTI’s production line)
• Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
• Assembly and integration of the full device, including power supply, cooling subsystem, and dedicated enclosure
• One-week burn-in tests under environmental conditions
Additionally, selected devices underwent a 24-hour artificial aging test in a climatic chamber (60–70 °C, non-condensing) and vibration/shock testing simulating road transport conditions.
Last but not least… Why Creotech Quantum?
Creotech was chosen for its proven experience within the White Rabbit ecosystem and for providing reliable, fully standards-compliant White Rabbit switches. As we were told, our hardware is perfectly suited to the technical requirements of the FAIR timing network.
Credits: GSI/FAIR
