Interface challenges as part of the ITER plasma control system design

The ITER Plasma Control System (PCS) approaching the second phase of development is now more deeply investigating alternative solutions for the various controls aimed at operations up to 15MA with low auxiliary heating in L-mode. The control functions in the PCS are strictly linked to the performance of the ITER actuators and diagnostics. The capabilities of those systems need to be carefully validated against the control needs. System and performance requirements shall be consistent with the control schemas and where limitations or restrictions are identified, it is necessary to provide alternative solutions. To guarantee this consistency, a set of interface documents is being prepared. Those interfaces for each of the plant systems that can impact the PCS activities detail the requirements specifically needed for control and report also the functional relationship between the two systems. The PCS has also to consider areas not actively part of plasma control that might affect or limit PCS operations (i.e. forces in the superconducting coils). This paper reports the main outcome from the interfaces definition. The actuator boundaries and plant systems constraints impacting the PCS design will be presented. For the sensors the challenge is the derivation of real-time measurement requirements in relation to the separate diagnostic requirements and their respective interface with the PCS. The complex organization of data integration with the PCS will be discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.