4.6 GHz lower hybrid wave power control system for EAST

In order to achieve steady state operation in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST), a 6 MW/4.6 GHz lower hybrid current drive system with twenty-four 250 kW/4.6 GHz high power klystron amplifiers (model VKC7849A) has been developed. A 4.6 GHz lower hybrid wave (LHW) power control system (4.6 GHz LPCS) with continuous wave mode has been set up, which was used to control the LHW power as needed. This paper introduces the architecture and software design of LPCS system, including microwave preamplifier subsystem, power measurement subsystem, power control computers, and so on. Proportional integral differential (PID) closed-loop control time is less than 100 μs due to the use of high-speed acquisition cards and user-programmable Field Programmable Gate Arrays. So far, high power CW operation and power control experiments with PID feedback mode by plasma parameters (beta, loop voltage, and so on) were performed in detail. Results show that 4.6 GHz LPCS is stable and reliable, suggesting that it meets the needs of EAST.