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Controls and Data Acquisition (DAQ)

Solenoid for MET

Controls, Data Acccess and Communication (CODAC) is the oft-used term for the systems that gather and analyze data and sends signals to all systems in order to measure critical physics parameters, control the plasma and to maintain safe operation of the device. The main components of a data acquisition and control system are

  1. sensors to measure some control parameter
  2. an analogue to digital converter to convert signal into a form that can be either stored or acted on
  3. programming logic to control the variable
  4. output instrumentation for controlling the parameter.
In fusion systems, the control parameter can by one of a range of different diagnostic measurements, such as temperature, density, flow velocity and practically any sensor that convert a physical property into an electrical signal. Usually these measurements are digitized with high speed data acquisition, often sampling at a rate of a million times per second. Control parameters such as the charge in a capacitor bank, or the temperature of an external system need not be sampled at such high frequency and are often grouped into slow or fast acquisition. The software that is written to control the system parameters is usually called the DAQ software, and often is written for the specific function of the digitizers and slow and fast io. Output instrumentation can be solenoids, valves, regulators, circuit breakers, or relays. Such devices control a desired output variable, and provide either remote or automated control capabilities.

Applications for controls are wide ranging. The aerospace industry has the most overlap with fusion research, since most subsystems are used in electric propulsion, pulsed plasma thrusters and even fusion propulsion. Next most closely related to fusion systems are military applications, particularly for electromagnetic launchers (projectiles, aircraft, etc), rail-, electrothermal- or coil-guns, high power microwave generators (explosive flux compression generators) and most high power laser. R&D applications include lightning simulators, linear accelerators, plasma switches.

WSI can help you design and install your CODAC system.

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“Woodruff Scientific have made an excellent complete control and data acquisition system for our Laboratory Astrophysical Jet experiment. The system was expertly tailored to our needs with COTS National Instruments and proprietary custom hardware, operated by a full set of LabView interfaces coded to best practise design patterns. The hardware and services provided by Woodruff Scientific are among the most cost-effective in the industry. Highly recommended.”
Prof. Sett You and Jens Von der Linden, University of Washington, 2013

LabVIEW Experiment Management System

 

WSI uses National Instruments LabVIEW for experiment control.

Our software includes:

Typical use is for charging of banks and timing of firing, acquiring data on diagnostic channels. All input controlled through front panel. See Data Acquisition page for example hardware setups for use with Experiment Management System.

A basic version of the Experiment Management System is available free of charge:

By checking this box you agree to these Terms & Conditions 
By downloading this software, you agree to the following terms:
    The software is provided 'as is', without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings in the software.

    Distribution of this software is not allowed except with the express written consent of Woodruff Scientific Inc. ©2017.


If you need further assistance using or configuring the Experiment Management system, let us know. WSI can also modify the experiment management system to better suit your lab. Let us know what modifications you need.

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Products Model Number Spec Sheet References
CODAC Request spec sheet Get a Quote »
LabVIEW Experiment Management System Request spec sheet Get a Quote »
Data Acquisition and Control Request spec sheet Get a Quote »
Fiber-Optic Relay Controls Request spec sheet Get a Quote »
Safety Interlocks Request spec sheet Get a Quote »

Data Acquisition and Control

WSI uses National Instruments hardware for data acquisition. We can tailor hardware setups for your lab.


Minimum data acquisition/controls for use with Experiment Management System: MinDAQ. Simple 24 channel 3MHz system.


Concept Exploration data acquisition and controls for use with our Experiment Management System: CEDAQ. 80 channels of 3MHz with 8 of 60MHz.



Minimalist-looking Proof of Principal data acquisition and controls for use with our Experiment Management System: CEDAQ base and extra data channels for POP level system. In total there are 176 channels of 3MHz and 24 of 60MHz.

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Fiber-Optic Relay Controls


Emitter Board


Receiver Board


Fiber-Optic Control relays:

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Safety Interlocks

Safety interlocks along with a proper safety plan can help reduce the chance of lab injury. Our interlock system can be integrated with the experiment control system. WSI can work with your lab to develop room layouts, safety interlocks, and safe operations procedures.

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