Ramping control using a spreadsheet

The model 1.2-400 synchrotron light source built by Maxwell Laboratories for Louisiana State University uses a 200 MeV injector. After injection and accumulation the beam is ramped up to 1.3 GeV in less than 30 seconds. During ramping, the dipole magnet waveform must be synchronized with those of 3 families of quadrupoles, 2 families of sextupoles, 24 trims and the RF voltage. A commercially available spreadsheet program (20/20) incorporating lattice physics, magnet calibrations and flexible curve fitting was used to generate the necessary waveforms. These are downloaded to two list processors, auxiliary CAMAC crate controllers, which control the 31 DAC channels. The spreadsheet approach was cost effective in terms of programming effort, yet still enabled quick changes to the ramp path, allowed cycling of all magnets to standardize magnet settings and provided for easy graphical feedback. The implementation of the ramping spreadsheet and experience with its usage will be described