System Aspects of (gaseous) Tracking Detectors

Using the ALICE Time Projection Chamber as an example I would like to address typical system issues of a large tracking device likely to be employed in future high energy and high luminosity colliders. Beyond the specific R&D efforts necessary to select and optimize a detector type, integration, operation and maintenance play an increasingly important role for a future tracking system to succeed in next generation physics programs. The paper highlights the technological challenges of a large tracking system that is to cope with extreme particle densities encountered in heavy ion collisions as much as alludes to the managerial and social aspects typically encountered in such large projects.