Design and implementation of a user-friendly interface for DIII-D neutral beam automated operation

Conference · Thu Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/FUSION.1989.102205· OSTI ID:5281508

Phillips, J.; Colleraine, A. P.; Hong, R.; Kim, J.; Lee, R. L.; Wight, J. J.

The operational interface to the DIII-D neutral beam system, in use for the past 10 years, consisted of several interactive devices that the operator used to sequence neutral beam conditioning and plasma heating shots. Each of four independent MODCOMP Classic control computers (for four DIII-D beamlines) included a touch screen, rotary knobs, an interactive dual port terminal, and a keyboard to selectively address each of five display screens. Most of the hardware had become obsolete and repair was becoming increasingly expensive. It was clear that the hardware could be replaced with current equipment, while improving the ergonomics of control. Combined with an ongoing effort to increase the degree of automated operation and its reliability, a single microcomputer-based interface for each of the four neutral beam MODCOMP Classic control computers was developed, effectively replacing some twenty pieces of hardware. Macintosh II microcomputers were selected, with 1 megabyte of RAM and off-the-shelf'' input/output (I/O) consisting of a mouse, serial ports, and two monochrome high-resolution video monitors. The software is written in PASCAL and adopts standard Macintosh window'' techniques. From the Macintosh interface to the MODCOMP Classic, the operator can control the power supply setpoints, adjust ion source timing and synchronization, call up waveform displays on the Grinnell color display system, view the sequencing of procedures to ready a neutral beam shot, and add operator comments to an automated shot logging system. 3 refs., 2 figs.

• Research Organization: General Atomics, San Diego, CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/ER
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-89ER51114
• OSTI ID: 5281508
• Report Number(s): GA-A-19758; CONF-891007--110; ON: DE90004091
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
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AUTOMATION
BEAM INJECTION
BEAM INJECTION HEATING
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DOUBLET REACTORS
HEATING
NEUTRAL ATOM BEAM INJECTION
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PLASMA HEATING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS