Advancing instrumentation and control at the Nevada Test Site: An incremental approach toward a global solution
The increased overall complexity and cost of modern experiments involving underground nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) demands that we use modern computer control systems rather than ''well-established'' traditional technology. Historically, instrumentation and control have employed large numbers of expensive, heavy hardwire cables extending from surface ground zero, to a diagnostics area underground in a vertical shaft. The cables are then terminated and in most cases perform singular functions. By adapting industrial instrumentation and control techniques (namely programmable computer control and distributed input/output) we can be connected to a large number of data and power distribution channels with a single pair of fiber optic or coaxial cables. However, to gain system confidence and to modify transferred technology to our unique needs, we integrate such technology incrementally. This paper will discuss examples of our incremental approach by describing some weapon event tests. This paper will also discuss goals for future automation at the NTS.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6079922
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-87-1615; CONF-871028-2; ON: DE87010117
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
CABLES
COMMUNICATIONS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA TRANSMISSION
EXPLOSIONS
IBM COMPUTERS
MONITORING
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
TESTING
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
WEAPONS