Design concepts for KSTAR plasma control system

We present design concepts and features of the plasma control system (PCS) in Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR). A design structure of the PCS is proposed as an effort to achieve research objectives of the KSTAR project. The PCS architecture is characterized by the real-time data communication using reflective-memory network, the hierarchical organization of dedicated controllers, and the integrated generation of actuator signals. Discussions are made of the functions and present design choices of the KSTAR PCS. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.