[en] Summary: 1. The WEST Tokamak: - Quite a big data producer 2. The Tungsten density measurement: - Just a little bit of physics 3. The WEST acquisition infrastructure: - An effective one 4. The modern acquisition method: - How to take into account the new needs

[en] COntrol, Data Acquisition and Communication (CODAC) real-time software codes are key elements for the operation of a fusion device as they can play a key role both for the machine protection and for the optimization of the experiments. In 2013, following the WEST project (W - for tungsten- Environment Steady-state Tokamak) upgrade, the whole legacy acquisition system has been refactored. The WEST CODAC framework which inherited the older implementations used over 20 years on TORE Supra has been cut into primary software pieces called components, corresponding to basic technical features, such as Database Access, Inter-process Communications, Real-time Device Management, Synchronization Network, States Machine, and Shared Memory Network. In addition, a new component has been developed to integrate non-native and cross-platform data acquisition hardware and software from guest collaborators.

[en] Since 1988, the Tore Supra limiter tokamak at CEA Cadarache has been in operation, and obtained the record of the longest plasma duration of 6 minutes 30 seconds and over 1000 MJ of energy injected and extracted. In 2013 Tore Supra went through major changes to become the WEST tokamak (Tungsten Environment in Steady state Tokamak). The tokamak was upgraded into an X point divertor device. Taking advantage of its long discharge capability, WEST’s goal is to minimize technological and operational risks of the actively cooled tungsten divertor for ITER. Concerning data acquisition, the “Control, Data Access and Communication” (CODAC) system has been redesigned in order to satisfy the performance and evolutions needed by researchers. A new architecture has been developed and deployed on major plant systems all around the fusion reactor allowing to fulfill the performance requirements of acquisition units, and for greater maintainability. This paper describes the WEST CODAC system created in 2013 and evolving since. The introduction briefly presents Tore Supra and the original CODAC based on VME technology. The main section exposes the upgrade of Tore Supra into WEST and the architecture evolution. The diskless Linux system and the attached PXI or VME systems are described with the tests realized for the CODAC system. During three WEST experimental campaigns, the new CODAC infrastructure ran over major plant systems like magnetics or power plant diagnostics. Results from those systems are shown in the last section leading to conclusion and prospects.

[en] WEST is a full metallic environment tokamak, with an X-point divertor configuration. It is targeted at testing ITER like divertor prototypes made of actively cooled bulk tungsten units, in tokamak conditions during long pulse operation. Several partners around the world contribute by providing various elements like parts of the divertor, ICRH antenna, and diagnostics, or by contributing to the scientific program. Like a few other fusion devices, the experimental program is open to the participation of these WEST partners. Since the C1 campaign, two years ago, the WEST experimental sessions are prepared and conducted in a collaborative way with remote access to several IT tools developed for this purpose. Each user needs a unique account to access all these tools: · A Web Portal giving access to various web applications.