Software Tools for Advanced Accelerator Control and Instrumentation Modules Using Programmable Logic

DOE laboratories need faster, more flexible controllers for real time feedback and data acquisition applications, especially in the era of the International Linear Collider. Systems based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have the potential to enable such high performance controller modules, but existing programming tools are awkward and difficult to use. This project will develop a toolkit, consisting of a library of FPGA routines, that will facilitate the development of FPGA controller applications in a familiar high level language. Source code will be provided to allow the software to be used directly or as a framework for new applications, and a set of utilities also will be included. In Phase I, a high performance FPGA board will be obtained; an initial set of real time algorithms will be evaluated and benchmarked on the FPGA hardware; and a Kalman filter, written in the ImpulseC programming environment, will be demonstrated. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: In addition to the application for high energy physics accelerators, the control technology should be applicable to any industry that uses automated manufacturing