An event-driven reconfigurable real-time processing system for the next generation fusion experiments

This article presents a new event-driven processing platform which uses a mixture of digital signal processors and field programmable gate arrays to provide data reduction and real-time processing and control capabilities for long discharge fusion experiments. The architecture and physical implementation aims to provide more processing power, a mathematical algorithm description interface, and an easy integration with existing acquisition systems as well as the seamless integration with an event-driven data acquisition and control system for current and upcoming fusion experiments. A complete framework from the algorithm description to the physical, implementation of the new platform in a heterogeneous processing system will be described. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.