The 32 bit timing unit of a real-time event-based control system for a nuclear fusion experiment

Author

Sousa, J. ; Combo, A. ; Batista, A. ; Correia, C. ; Varandas, C.A.F. ; Trotman, D. ; Waterhouse, J.

Author_Institution

Centro de Fusao Nucl., Inst. Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal

Volume

45

Issue

4

fYear

1998

fDate

8/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2052

Lastpage

2056

Abstract

This paper describes the innovative timing unit of a distributed, expandable, real-time, event-based control system for a nuclear fusion experiment. This system is being designed in a tree-type topology, based in VME and CAMAC format modules that produce the timing signals required for the safe operation of the experiment diagnostics and digitizers. It also performs the broadcasting, processing and recording of the occurrence of externally generated events for real-time control purposes. The timing unit has been implemented in a field programmable gate array, providing flexibility and the ability to upgrade the design. The timing signals can be defined with 32 bit resolution to produce signals from 100 ns width and to about 430 s maximum duration with 500 ns accuracy, and will provide the possibility of immediate event processing

Keywords

CAMAC; field programmable gate arrays; fusion reactor instrumentation; nuclear electronics; nuclear engineering computing; physical instrumentation control; real-time systems; timing circuits; 32 bit; 32 bit timing unit; 430 s; CAMAC; VME; field programmable gate array; nuclear fusion; real-time event-based control system; Broadcasting; CAMAC; Control systems; Fusion power generation; Fusion reactors; Real time systems; Signal design; Signal processing; Timing; Topology;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.710988

Filename

710988