Synchronously Driven Power Converter Controller Solution for MedAustron

MedAustron is an ion beam cancer therapy and research centre currently under construction in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. This facility features a synchrotron particle accelerator for light ions. Cosylab is closely working together with MedAustron on the development of a power converter controller (PCC) for the 260 deployed power converters – power supplies. Power converters deliver power to magnets used for focusing and steering particle beams. We have designed and developed software and hardware which allows integration of different types of power converters into MedAustron's control system (MACS). PCC's role is to synchronously control and monitor connected power converters. Custom real-time fibre optics link and modular front end devices have been designed for this purpose. Modular front end devices make it possible to interface with almost any type of power converter – with or without built in regulation logic. We implemented realtime mechanisms and a dedicated real-time fibre link to satisfy requirements for synchronous control of power converters and data acquisition of their output current measurements.