NSTX-U will replace the existing coil protection solution
with a software-based DCPS. It will make use of concurrent
RedHawk to achieve real-time performance on a GNU/Linux
system, as it outperforms RedHat MRG in determinism,
throughput, and overall development cost. The software design
is flexible enough to allow dynamic changes to runtime
characteristics, and extensible enough to provide an avenue
for future growth in the form of new algorithms and algorithm
types.
DCPS will naturally expand in the future to accommodate
plasma goals. Future work further includes adding a regression
tester that will automatically validate new changes against a
database of previously fixed bugs to reduce the probability
of reintroducing the same bug again. Additionally, DCPS can
possibly expand its reach from coil protection to machine
protection. Finally, in the short term, parts of DCPS will run on
the plasma control side with stricter limits to enable controlled
shutdowns instead of the current method of simply turning the
power supplies off.