Uli reports on the DCS meeting Oct. 8th. There were many presentations of limited relevance 
to the trigger (radiation hardness, cabling …). Some more important issues are being stressed:

Radiation test results led to a re-design of the ELMB. There is no co-processor on the ELMB 
any longer. As a result the ELMB firmware gets simpler and might be more easily adapted to 
the trigger needs. CERN has decided on the PCI/CAN interface (Kvaser). Branch test results 
with the new card were presented. Though the NICAN card continues to be supported, 
everyone is encouraged to use the Kvaser card. Helfried gave an overview of the complete 
DCS chain ELMB-OPC-PVSS and explained which services are performed in which part of 
the chain. The most recent version of the OPC server, as well as utilities now supports Kvaser 
and NICAN concurrently. Fernando Varela explained the structure of the DCS backend 
(PVSS). Each subsystem needs to find out whether a geographical or a functional substructure 
is more adequate. Services required / available on the 3 levels (global, subdetector, 
subsystem) were explained. Short presentation on the synchronisation of LHC states, DAQ 
states, and DCS states. The status of the DAQ to DCS communication (DDC) was reported.
The trigger would have to find out whether any data need to be exchanged between its DCS 
sub-system at the PVSS level and the DAQ.

Helfried announced the procurement of a batch of Kvaser cards. Helfried wants to talk to the 
subdetectors before Christmas to discuss the DCS sub-structures.