The new FTU control system as a result of technological and functional evolution at Frascati Energy Research Center

Abstract

The paper describes the evolution of the control and data acquisition system from its initial implementation on the Frascati Tokamak (FT) to the modifications for the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade (FTU), and then the present upgrading necessitated by machine enhancement and technological improvements. The latest developments have been made placing emphasis on the typical requirements of an experimental fusion machine control system, such as modular structure, advanced man-machine interface, automation of all or part of the management procedures of the experiment, easy servicing and updating of the software system, possibility to include important commercial software applications, such as data base, and historical registration of plant measurements. Our experience has also shown that the following goals should also be achieved: easiness of use by operators who do not have a thorough knowledge of the layout of all the plants, possibility to keep and integrate the existing applications used by FTU physicists. The new control and data acquisition system integrates old and new requirements with currently available commercial software applications in order to match optimization, throughput, and the experimental requirements.