Modular Control of Fusion Power Heating Applications

Active-control systems are playing increasingly important roles within magnetic confinement fusion programs. The growing demand for RF power applications on small and large machines demonstrates a clear need for the hardware, software, and electronic components of real-time control. These components must be implemented with a moderate amount of effort in a cost-effective fashion. This project is aimed at developing a control-suite of modular units that can be unified into active-control packages for RF heating power deposition applications. During Phase I, the feasibility of the control concept will be established by the development of fundamental modules needed to implement open-loop active-control and the demonstration of their use in an RF power deposition experiment. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond the application to fusion energy systems, the modular control-suite has the potential to serve a broad range of scientific and industrial applications