A case study of the real-time framework for the implementation of the ITER plasma control system

Abstract

ITER CODAC is in the process of developing a tailored software solution to carry out necessary control functions for tokamak operation. CODAC has successfully completed the final review of the implementation of the ITER Plasma Control System (PCS) for first plasma (FP), and formally commenced its production in accordance with the conversion mechanism of the Real-Time Framework (RTF) software suite. Rich functionality of RTF built-ins and its flexibility of reconfigurable applications facilitates the development and deployment of complex real-time applications such as commonly found within PCS and the ITER diagnostics.In the practical application of the framework, CODAC has prototyped PCS architecture components to verify how actual operation complies with the intended design. Prototyping initiates CODAC preparation for system validation and verification, and its commissioning. Agile production is based on the model presented in the PCS Simulation Platform (PCSSP). Several fundamental functions such as exception handling, quality tag controlling, and signal watchdog functionality have been implemented and continue to evolve. CODAC demonstrated a mechanism by which individual function models coordinate and cooperate with each other to achieve desired higher-level functions. Operation of prototype and real-life experiments verified the application is compliant with the design input and even adaptable and extendable in various system attributes.This paper will introduce the PCS prototyping and its execution as well as integrated operation function in the ITER environment.