The integration of the new advanced digital plasma control system in TCV

A new advanced digital plasma control system was developed aiming at a larger flexibility and enhanced performance controlling the TCV plasma shape, position, current and density. The system is a complex grid of 32 acquisition processing and control channels (APCCs) that can go up to 25 μs for the slow control cycle and a grid of 4 APCCs that can go up to 5 μs for the fast control cycle. Each APCC is composed of analogue input, digital signal processor (DSP) and analogue output. All APCCs are interconnected broadcasting data in each cycle.A suitable interface between the system and the TCV plant enabling the complete integration into the existing schema running and controlling the TCV was designed and implemented. The system state-machine is presented. The advantages of using a structured integrated tool such as MDSPlus is evaluated, as well as the results on the final performance, usability and stability of the system.