The MTX computer control system for the 400 kilowatt 140 GHz gyrotron

A 400-kW, 140-GHz gyrotron is used in the MTX (Microwave Tokamak Experiment) as a source of direct plasma heating and as a driver for a free electron laser, which is used for plasma heating. The control system that operates this gyrotron uses a new graphics-oriented software system called TACL (Thaumaturgic Automated Control Logic). This control language does not require a software specialist, but is easily handled by the engineer or technician working on the system. All control logic and custom displays are entered via graphics-oriented editors and no lines of code need to be written. The graphics displays make the gyrotron operation quite simple and allow individual users to define displays to meet their own needs or develop one for a specific set of tests to be run. The system can also be used for data logging functions, which have been found quite useful in tracking long-term trends in vacion current and calorimetry of gyrotron cooling circuits. The system is composed of one computer (HP 9000 series 300) controlling multiple CAMAC crates, located at the various components used in the system. A second series 300 computer is used as a supervisor and is located in the main tokamak control room