Title :
A Second Generation Timing System for DIII-D Timing Control
Author :
Deterly, T.M. ; Kellman, D.H. ; Finkenthal, D.F.
Author_Institution :
Gen. Atomics, San Diego
Abstract :
The DIII-D Tokamak relies on a facility wide timing network to synchronize machine operations. The first generation system was designed around cascaded CAMAC delay units feeding a custom timing network encoder. This system has become increasingly difficult to maintain and repair and the needs of DIII-D experiments are beginning to exceed its capabilities. To address these issues, a new second-generation system was designed with a modular architecture in a VME form factor that facilitates the future addition of features and output channels when required, while maintaining backwards compatibility with the original system. As part of the base design, modules for event triggers, multiple programmable sequences, first generation Bi-Phase serial outputs, fiber optic outputs, and event recording are provided. Each module is implemented with a form of programmable logic, either a CPLD or FPGA, which allows for future modification if needed. The system also has the capability of complete remote management, allowing for custom timing chains on a per-experiment basis. The feature set and design of this second-generation timing system is presented.
Keywords :
Tokamak devices; clocks; data acquisition; encoding; field programmable gate arrays; synchronisation; timing; CPLD; DIII-D Tokamak; DIII-D timing control; FPGA; VME form factor; cascaded CAMAC delay units; custom timing network encoder; data acquisition; fiber optic outputs; first generation Bi-Phase serial outputs; modular architecture; multiple programmable sequences; programmable logic; second generation timing system; synchronize machine operations; CAMAC; Control systems; Field programmable gate arrays; Optical design; Optical fibers; Optical recording; Programmable logic arrays; Programmable logic devices; Timing; Tokamaks; clock; data acquisition; network; timing;
Conference_Titel :
Fusion Engineering, 2007. SOFE 2007. 2007 IEEE 22nd Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Albuquerque, NM
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1193-1
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1194-8
DOI :
10.1109/FUSION.2007.4337927