Self-Optimizing Target Control System

A "time-optimized" control system to drive meson targets into critical positions has been developed and used in the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS). A current drive coil reacts with the magnetic guide field to hold the target in any desired vertical position. This position is repeated each cycle regardless of operational changes of magnetic field, times of targeting, etc. This system achieves proper "bang-bang" acceleration and deceleration by learning and storing information regarding its behavior on previous cycles. At the end of its 20 ms optimized travel, a linear servo mode takes control to maintain the position reached. In the linear servo mode, programmed variations in target height may be made to compliment an experiment.