Computer control of the TFTR motor generator sets

The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) electric power systems include two motor generator (MG) sets that supply pulsed power to the TFTR magnetic field coils. The computer system provides control of MG speed and power in a manual mode and an automatic clock-controlled windup mode. Given existing conditions of motor power and excitation, the automatic mode calculates the time required to accelerate from the current MG speed to the speed required at the start of the next TFTR pulse. Commands are then issued to the MG sets to accelerate at the proper time in the TFTR clock cycle, ensuring that they reach the desired speed at the desired time. Monitoring and control of MG circuits is interfaced with the computer control system through CAMAC modules. The authors detail the control loops for the manual and automatic modes of the MG computer control system