Instrumentation and Controls

Instrumentation and Controls

High performing & dependable control, instrumentation, and injector systems for accelerator applications

The Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) Instrumentation and Controls (AOT-IC) Group develops and deploys systems in support of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) User Facility and other Laboratory projects.

The group works with other AOT groups, as well as LANSCE Division and other Laboratory organizations on the incorporation of new ideas, up-to-date knowledge, and cutting-edge technology in order to make advancements in control and instrumentation systems. As part of the process to provide continuous improvements and maintain system viability, each of the AOT-IC teams offers support for its deployed systems.

Teams

• The Controls Hardware Team produces systems for automated control and monitoring of accelerator components. The team deploys commercial off-the-shelf systems as well as one-of-a-kind system solutions for interfacing to a large variety of accelerator devices. This includes providing signal communication pathways for high-level supervisory controls system functions. In addition the team develops beam diagnostic measurement systems for accelerator applications. The team focuses on providing complete measurement solutions from beam-line sensors, through instrumentation, to algorithm development, and user data presentation. Moreover, the team provides printed circuit board design and general drawing services for AOT, other Laboratory organizations, and partner Laboratories. The team has developed advanced skills in high-speed, high-power, mixed- signal, multilayer, and multi-stack circuit-board design using Mentor Graphics Software for layout and simulation.
• The Controls Software Team develops and deploys software that runs on front-end computers that directly acquire data and command devices. This software provides support in form of user interfaces that interact with the front-end computers while providing summary status information, and for applications that perform other essential functions. These functions include event logging, archiving, and relational database realization among others.