Piotr Pucyk

DOOCS server and client application for FPGA based TESLA cavity controller and simulator

The paper describes design and performance of the DOOCS (distributed, object oriented) based control system for the cavity simulator and controller (SIMCON). A concise description of the DOOCS system is given. Resident data types and data flow throughout the Simcon system are discussed. The basic ideas and implementation issues of the server and client application are described as well as some alternatives to the DOOCS solution (considered as partial) is presented.

Distributed versus Centralized ATCA Computing Power

The RF Control for the European XFEL requires powerful data processing capability for many algorithms including feedback, calibration, diagnostics and low and high level applications needed for field control. While central processing architecture will be easier to manage and develop, it will also increase the requirements for the communication links connecting the boards. On the other hand, a distributed system improves performance and reliability but result in higher complexity. The trade-offs between the two architecture will be discussed and examples will be presented.

Software for development and communication with FPGA based hardware

This document describes aspects of creating software for communication with hardware, especially with FPGA based systems. Features unique for FPGA systems are compared with features of the traditional electronic systems. There are discussed topics like hardware interface definition, or address space description. Connecting client application is shown with Matlab as an example. Solutions with FPGA and embedded processors are discussed.

DOOCS and MATLAB control environment for FPGA based cavity simulator and controller in TESLA experiment

FPGA based cavity simulator and controller is the next generation control system dedicated for high performance, low latency control algorithm development and implementation. The usage of FPGA technology gives users possibility to create many devices on one board and easy exchange, modify or improve VHDL programmed algorithms. In order to provide the full functionality of the system to the user, and meet the requirements of flexibility and extensibility, an appropriate control software is needed. This paper describes the idea and implementation of control environment dedicated for FPGA based devices. As an example of implementation, two control environments have been implemented; the laboratory software based on Matlab, and the application for accelerator operation using DOOCS environment.

Real time cavity simulator for European XFEL

For the Low level Radio Frequency system in European XFEL project the real time RF cavity simulator is being built to simulate one RF station. The functional requirements of the project include the simulation of multiple superconducting cavities with various features such as mechanical and fundamental modes, waveguide distribution system and high power system (klystron and amplifiers). The time response of such device for LLRF driving signal must be similar to the real time response of the chain of all simulated elements which is less than 1 mus. In order to fulfill both, functional and performance requirements a dedicated hardware has to be designed, as well as robust simulation models. The paper presents a concept and requirements for the proposed system. Possible hardware architectures are discussed. Initial development and results are presented.

Embedded system in FPGA-based LLRF controller for FLASH

FPGA devices are often used in High Energy Physics and accelerator technology experiments, where the highest technologies are needed. To make FPGA based systems more flexible, common technique is to provide SoC (System on a Chip) solution in the FPGA, which is in most cases a CPU unit. Such a combination gives possibility to balance between hardware and software implementation of particular task. SoC solution on FPGA can be very flexible, because in simplest cases no additional hardware is needed to run programs on CPU, and when system has such devices like UART, SDRAM memory, mass storage and network interface, it can handle full featured operating system such as Linux or VxWorks. Embedded process can be set up in different configurations, depending on the available resources on board, so every user can adjust system to his own needs. Embedded systems can be also used to perform partial self-reconfiguration of FPGA logic of the chip, on which the system is running. This paper will also present some results on SoC implementations in a Low Level RF system under design for the VUV Free Electron Laser, FLASH, DESY, Hamburg.

DOOCS and MatLab control environment for FPGA-based cavity simulator and controller in TESLA (SIMCON 2.1) part II: implementation

The paper describes the concept and realization of the DOOCS control software for FPGA-based TESLA cavity controller and simulator (SIMCON). It bases on universal software components, created for laboratory purposes and used in MATLAB based control environment. These modules have been recently adapted to the DOOCS environment to ensure a unified software to hardware communication model. The presented solution can be also used as a general platform for control algorithms development. The proposed interfaces between MATLAB and DOOCS modules allow to check the developed algorithm in the operation environment before implementation in the FPGA. As the examples two systems have been presented.

DOOCS and MatLab control environment for FPGA-based cavity simulator and controller in TESLA (SIMCON 2.1) Part I: Algorithms

The paper describes the concept and realization of the DOOCS control software for FPGA-based TESLA cavity controller and simulator (SIMCON). It bases on universal software components, created for laboratory purposes and used in MATLAB based control environment. These modules have been recently adapted to the DOOCS environment to ensure a unified software to hardware communication model. The presented solution can be also used as a general platform for control algorithms development. The proposed interfaces between MATLAB and DOOCS modules allow to check the developed algorithm in the operation environment before implementation in the FPGA. As the examples two systems have been presented.

DOOCS and MatLab control environment for SIMCON 2.1 FPGA based control system for TESLA FEL part III: readouts

The note describes integrated system of hardware controller and simulator of the resonant superconducting, narrowband niobium cavity, originally considered for the TTF and TESLA in DESY, Hamburg (now predicted for the W V and X-Ray FEL). The controller bases on a programmable circuit Xilinx VirtexII V3000 embedded on a PCB XtremeDSP Development Kit by Nallatech. The FPGA circuit configuration was done in the VHDL language. The internal hardware multiplication components, present in Virtex II chips, were used, to improve the floating point calculation efficiency. The implementation was achieved of a device working in the real time, according to the demands of the LLRF control system for the TESLA Test Facility. The device under consideration will be referred to as superconducting cavity (SCCav) SIMCON throughout this work. This document is intended to be used by end users and operators. It describes step by step how to install SIMCON in specific configuration, how and what software to copy to computer. There is described set of basic Matlab functions for developers of control algorithms. This paper also contains brief description how to use Matlab function of one algorithm with its graphic user panels. This TESLA Report is in close relations with the following TESLA Reports published previously: 2005-05, 2005-02, 2004-10. Together, these Reports make a full SIMCON manual.