Track Lab: extensible data acquisition software for fast pixel detectors, online analysis and automation

TL;DR

Track Lab is a versatile, extensible software platform designed for high-performance data acquisition and online analysis of pixel detectors, supporting automation and multi-platform deployment for physics research.

Contribution

It introduces a modern, modular data acquisition software with extensive hardware support, real-time processing, and automation capabilities tailored for fast pixel detectors.

Findings

Supports real-time data clustering, filtering, and plotting

Enables online analysis during data acquisition

Compatible with multiple hardware systems and operating platforms

Abstract

Fast, incremental evolution of physics instrumentation raises the question of efficient software abstraction and transferability of algorithms across similar technologies. This contribution aims to provide an answer by introducing Track Lab, a modern data acquisition program focusing on extensibility and high performance. Shipping with documented API and more than 20 standard modules, Track Lab allows complex analysis pipelines to be constructed from simple, reusable building blocks. Thanks to multi-threaded infrastructure, data can be clustered, filtered, aggregated and plotted concurrently in real-time. In addition, full hardware support for Timepix2, Timepix3 pixel detectors and embedded photomultiplier systems enables such analysis to be carried out online during data acquisition. Repetitive procedures can be automated with support for motorized stages and X-ray tubes. Freely distributed on 7 popular operating systems and 2 CPU architectures, Track Lab is a versatile tool for high energy physics research.