ATCA-Based Hardware for Control and Data Acquisition on Nuclear Fusion Fast Control Plant Systems

Abstract

In contemporary control and data acquisition systems for Nuclear Fusion devices, the galloping need for high channel density and real-time multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) controller support gave rise to a new generation of hardware architecture based on the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) specification. In addition, ATCA successfully delivered solutions in other sensitive issues like redundancy, power dissipation and available area for components and routing. Experience has shown, however, that such hardware devices can require a lengthy development. The ATCA specification allows for custom solutions in areas of the interfaces which can be used to define extensions of the standard for instrumentation needs. The"'xTCA for Physics" workgroups are currently developing ATCA and MicroTCA extensions for Physics instrumentation applications. These ex tensions will define interfaces in customizable areas which will support functionalities required by the instrumentation and facilitate hardware development and its posterior operation in a Fusion control plant environment-most notably, dedicated timing and input-output (IO) port assignment on the Rear Transition Module (RTM). The prototype hereby presented is a Peripheral Component Interface (PCIe) switch Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) carrier blade. The device serves as a hub, as to control and handle I/O data from its parent nodes existing within the same ATCA shelf through its fabric channels in dual-star topology. Parent node blades, under development, are equally linked through ATCA's agnostic fabric in full-mesh topology, as to attain system MIMO functionality from all I/O endpoints. The switch blade carries up to four AMC modules, adding up to modularity and versatility. This allows for a much more independent and speedier hardware development, as dedicated AMC modules, such as data processing and storage devices, can be simultaneously developed. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) AMC products are readily available and may also be immediately integrated in the system.