Accelerator Controls & Beam Diagnostics Division
IR-FEL Magnet Power Supply Control System
 
An Infrared Free-Electron Laser (IR-FEL) facility at Materials and Advanced Accelerator Sciences Division of RRCAT, Indore is commissioned for the investigation of materials using an electron beam. This system consists of a 90 keV electron gun as an electron source, a linear accelerator (LINAC) which accelerates the beam to energy in the range of 15-25 MeV, beam transport line and an undulator. Beam transport line consists of dipoles, quadrupoles, steering and corrector magnets for transporting electron beam from the LINAC exit to the entrance of the undulator. These magnets plays important role in the performance of IR-FEL. To control the dynamics of the moving particle, stable and repeatable magnetic field pattern for above magnets is achieved by energizing them by precision power supplies with stability of output current of the order of 100ppm. Accelerator Power Supply Division (APSD), RRCAT has developed these precision power supplies. These power supplies are controlled remotely from control room located at a distance.

A microcontroller based Magnet Power Supply Control Modules (MPSCM) in 3Usize with 64-pin euro back plane bus (Fig. 1). MPSCMs has on-board high stability analog reference output for precise setting of magnet current, read-back of set current, isolated digital IOs controls various power supply functions and status monitoring. These modules are installed on a single backplane and all the analog and digital IOs are galvanically isolated. These modules has RS-485 interface for remote operation. Master communicates with these slave MPSCMs through a deterministic and rugged industry standard communication protocol.

There are total 60 magnets installed in the Beam Transfer Line at IR-FEL tunnel, including dipole, quadrupole, solenoids and steering coils, accordingly there are 60 power supply control modules for each magnet power supply. Dedicated supervisory control monitors and controls the power supply functions for these magnets.

Features of Magnet Power Supply Control Module:
  • Analog Output : One Analog Output, 0 to +10 Volts with resolution of 20-bits for Magnet Power Supply Reference
  • Analog Input : One Analog Input 0 to +10 Volts with resolution of 24-bits for Magnet Power Supply Current Readback
  • Digital Inputs : Four digital inputs to monitor the status of magnet power supply parameters
  • Digital Outputs : Four potential free contacts for power supply control functions
  • RS-232 Port for communication
  • Galvanic Isolated RS-485 Port for remote interface
Fig 1. Magnet Power Supply Control Module
Fig 1. Magnet Power Supply Control Module
 
Fig 2. GUI for Magnet Power Supply Control Module
Fig 2. GUI for Magnet Power Supply Control Module
 
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