Worldwide collaborative efforts in plasma control software development

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design 2008-04, Vol.83 (2), p.176-180
• Main Authors: Penaflor, B.G., Ferron, J.R., Walker, M.L., Humphreys, D.A., Leuer, J.A., Piglowski, D.A., Johnson, R.D., Xiao, B.J., Hahn, S.H., Gates, D.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Linux; Plasma control; Real-time control; Tokamak
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2007.11.012

This presentation will describe the DIII-D collaborations with various tokamak experiments throughout the world which have adapted custom versions of the DIII-D plasma control system (PCS) software for their own use. Originally developed by General Atomics for use on the DIII-D tokamak, the PCS has been successfully installed and used for the NSTX experiment in Princeton, the MAST experiment in Culham UK, the EAST experiment in China, and the Pegasus experiment in the University of Wisconsin. In addition to these sites, a version of the PCS is currently being developed for use by the KSTAR tokamak in Korea. A well-defined and robust PCS software infrastructure has been developed to provide a common foundation for implementing the real-time data acquisition and feedback control codes. The PCS infrastructure provides a flexible framework that has allowed the PCS to be easily adapted to fulfill the unique needs of each site. The software has also demonstrated great flexibility in allowing for different computing, data acquisition and real-time networking hardware to be used. A description of the current PCS software architecture will be given along with experiences in developing and supporting the various PCS installations throughout the world.