Program Control of Current Build-Up in Tokamak

Abstract

A program control method is formulated and discussed with respect to typical program control of a tokamak machine. This formulation determines the preprogramming voltages in the poloidal coil power supplies which are necessary for control of plasma current, position and cross section. The plasma dynamics used are described by a tokamak circuit model consisting of circuit equations for the plasma current and poloidal field coil currents, and equilibrium equations for the plasma position and cross section. The program control method presents the ideal preprogramming voltages which realize desired values for the controlled variables, when coil voltages are not restricted. This method is also applicable to problems where restrictions are imposed on the coil voltages.