New Architecture for the RFX-mod Machine Control System

The RFX-mod machine control system, which is currently entirely based on PLC technology, is undergoing a major reorganization, to improve its software versatility and to overcome increasing difficulties with legacy hardware and software maintenance. The new architecture will retain PLCs as I/O interface, moving control functions to a new PC-based layer, and will adopt Java as programming language for control tasks and graphical user interface. Data exchange will rely on OPC standards and the MDSplus data acquisition and handling package. A single Windows PC will manage the OPC data and their export through mdsip (the MDSplus transport layer), whereas other PCs, running either Windows or Linux, will provide control functions and graphical user interface.