Digitizer hardware for magnetic data acquisition on COMPASS-U

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development of a modular digitizer prototype tailored for magnetic sensor data acquisition within the COMPASS-U tokamak facility, an upcoming experiment in Prague that will operate under conditions relevant to future experiments like ITER and DEMO. The magnetic diagnostic data serves a dual role, both for scientific analysis and real-time control. Due to the latter, the data integrity and fidelity is paramount for the plasma performance and overall safety of the fusion experiment. The digitizer prototype showcases a contemporary adaptation of prior board designs deployed in large fusion experiments such as JET and W7X. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Xilinx K26 Zynq Ultrascale+ System-on-Module, this digitizer interfaces seamlessly with ADC modules, facilitating real-time data pre-processing. The digitizer sends data to the real-time control system by a high-speed PCI Express interface. A distinctive facet of the design lies in its configurable clock architecture, allowing versatile distribution of clocks and triggers to accommodate diverse experimental scenarios. The inherent modularity and dynamic reprogramming of the hardware mean the system can find applications beyond its intended role. These include data acquisition for other diagnostics or application in different experiments. The modularity and flexibility and scalability of this design position it as invaluable candidate for high-volume data acquisition systems with a high number of isolated channels at a low cost per channel. As the scientific community endeavors towards advancing fusion technologies, the presented modular digitizer design stands poised to make significant contributions in magnetic diagnostics and real-time control applications.