Control and data acquisition system for versatile experiment spherical torus at SNU

Abstract

A control and data acquisition system for VEST (Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus) at Seoul National University (SNU) has been developed to enable remote operation from a central control room. The control and data acquisition system consists of three subsystems; a main control and data acquisition system that triggers each device at the preprogrammed timing and collects various diagnostic signals during discharges, a monitoring system that watches and logs the device status continuously, and a data storage and distribution system that stores collected data and provides data access layer via Ethernet. The system is designed to be cost-effective, extensible and easy to develop by using well-established standard technologies and solutions. Combining broad accessibility with modern information technology, alarm signal can be sent immediately to the registered cell phones when the abnormal status of devices is found, and the web data distribution system enables data access from almost everywhere using smart phones or tablet computers. Since December 2011, VEST is operational and the control and data acquisition system has been successfully used for remote operation of VEST.