The DIII-D ECH multiple gyrotron control system

DIII-D´s ECH upgrade with 1 MW, 110 GHz gyrotrons is ongoing, and with it, an upgrade of the control system. The ECH Multiple Gyrotron Control System uses software distributed among networked computers, interfaced to a programmable logic controller (PLC), the timing and pulse system, power supplies, vacuum and wave guide controls, and instrumentation. During DIII-D operations, the system will allow a chief and a co-operator to control and monitor number of gyrotrons from different manufacturers. The software, written using LabVIEW allows for remote and multiple operator control. Thus any supported computer can become a control station and multiple projects can be simultaneously accommodated. Each operator can be given access to the controls of all gyrotrons or to a subset of controls. Status information is also remotely available. The use of a PLC simplifies the hardware and software design. It reduces interlock and control circuitry, includes monitoring for slow analog signals, and allows one software driver to efficiently interface to a number of systems. In addition, the interlock logic can be easily changed and control points can be forced as needed. The pulse system is designed around arbitrary function generators. Various modulation schemes can accommodated, including real-time control of modulation. This discussion includes the hardware and software design of the control system and its current implementation