Initial operation of the Fermilab MiniBooNE beamline

The MiniBooNE neutrino experiment is projected to take more intensity in a single year than was delivered during the seventeen years of running the Fixed Target Program. The experiment will require almost continuous running (18,000 pulses/hour) at full intensity (5E12 protons per pulse). In order to safely handle this intensity various measures have been instituted. The design of the beamline ensures sufficient clearance between the beam and apertures. A MiniBooNE Beam Permit System has been installed that is able to check various digital and analogue information against nominal values on a pulse by pulse basis. An automated total beam loss monitoring system (electronic berm) measures any beam loss between the beginning and end of the line. An automated correction system (Autotune) finds and corrects minor beam wandering. A description of the beamline design and relevant instrumentation is given.