Integration of EPICS subsystem control on FireSignal

This paper presents a slow control system based on Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) and FireSignal technology for fusion devices, that is being developed for ISTTOK and COMPASS tokamaks. In this approach, the machine sub-systems control is based in micro-controllers. These sub-systems can handle automatically the necessary procedures before, during and after a plasma discharge, including safety protocols. An EPICS based supervisory control software then integrates all machine subsystems for central monitoring, configuration, logging and alarm management. Instead of the usual EPICS MEDM client tools, remote monitoring and configuration is accomplished by means of a specifically developed Java application using the CAJ library for EPICS and Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). This application behaves also as FireSignal Client, allowing the subsystems to be completely integrated on a FireSignal-based CODAC with all Process Variables (PV) and relevant control events being recorded in the central database. Through the FireSignal operator console, the so called FS User Client, it is possible to present a dedicated GUI for each subsystem, thus providing the machine operator a complete overview of the state of the machine and full control capabilities.