The RAPTOR based control scheme at AUG and benchmarking its results with real time inputs against post-processed data

Abstract

In the operation of fusion devices, rapid feedback control of plasma parameters is important due to the fast timescales of relevant physics processes. These parameters are often measured indirectly or through noisy diagnostics with limited resolution. To address this, we require models that can estimate these parameters in real time by integrating simple physics-based models with available measurements. This paper presents the integration of the RAPTOR (RApid Plasma TranspOrt simulatOR) code within the discharge control system (DCS) of ASDEX Upgrade (AUG). RAPTOR, combined with an extended Kalman filter (EKF), utilizes real-time electron cyclotron emission (ECE) measurements to enhance its accuracy. We provide an overview of RAPTOR, its integration with an EKF, and the impact of real-time data on its results. Our findings indicate that while the simple transport model we use in RAPTOR often matches the experimental electron temperatures only poorly, the EKF significantly enhances its accuracy, aligning well with experimental profiles. This integration allows effective feedback control of heat fluxes and temperature profiles in fusion devices. Additionally, through standalone simulations of RAPTOR without EKF, we assess to what extent RAPTOR results using real-time data could be improved.