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Implementation of EPICS based vacuum control system for variable energy cyclotron centre, Kolkata
Anindya Roy1, R B Bhole1, Partha P Nandy1
1Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, 1/AF Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 3, 2015
Summary
The Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre upgraded its vacuum control system to an automated, PLC-based system. This enhances vacuum control and data archiving for the cyclotron
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Accelerator Technology
- Control Systems Engineering
Background:
- The Room Temperature Cyclotron at Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre utilizes complex vacuum systems for its main machine and Beam Transport System.
- The previous vacuum control system relied on a manual, relay-based setup, posing limitations in efficiency and automation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To upgrade the existing vacuum control system to a modern, automated platform.
- To integrate supervisory control using Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS).
- To develop a vendor-neutral vacuum gauge controller and enhance operator interfaces.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based automated vacuum control system.
- Supervisory control and data acquisition using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS).
- Development of an EPICS embedded ARM-based vacuum gauge controller and MS-Windows ActiveX components for operator interfaces.
- Indigenous development of an EPICS MySQL Archiver for data logging and system interlocks.
Main Results:
- Successful transition from a manual relay-based system to a PLC-based automated vacuum control system.
- Seamless integration of vacuum gauge controllers with the EPICS control system.
- Enhanced operator interfaces with features like user authentication and improved graphical elements.
- Effective archiving of control, monitoring, and interlock parameters using the indigenously developed EPICS MySQL Archiver.
Conclusions:
- The upgraded vacuum control system significantly enhances the operational efficiency and reliability of the cyclotron.
- The developed EPICS embedded controller and operator interface components offer a flexible and integrated solution for vacuum system management.
- The system architecture demonstrates a robust approach to modernizing accelerator control systems.
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