Adaptation of CERN Power Converter Controls for Integration into Other Laboratories using EPICS and TANGO

Abstract

Modern power converters (power supplies) at CERN use proprietary controls hardware, which is integrated into the wider control system by software device servers developed specifically for the CERN environment, built using CERN libraries and communication protocols. There is a growing need to allow other HEP laboratories to make use of power converters that were originally developed for CERN and, consequently, a desire to allow for their efficient integration into control systems used at those laboratories, which are generally based upon either of the EPICS and Tango frameworks. This paper gives an overview of power converter equipment and software currently being provided to other laboratories through CERN’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer program and describes differences identified between CERN’s control system model and that of EPICS, which needed to be accounted for. A reference EPICS implementation provided by CERN to other laboratories to facilitate integration of the CERN power converter controls is detailed and the prospects for the development of a Tango equivalent in the future are also covered