Software system for open loop control of a synchrotron via special purpose consoles

Most of the physics experiments performed at CERN require protons with an energy of 28 GeV. This is obtained in three stages: a linear accelerator, Linac, where the protons are created and brought to 50 Me V; next a first circular accelerator, Synchrotron Injector or Booster, where they reach 800 MeV; eventually the high energy synchrotron, PS (Proton Synchrotron), where they are accelerated to the required top energy. In contrast to the Linac and PS, the Booster has been designed very recently and is still running-in. From the beginning, it was intended to be fully computer controlled, i.e. acquisition and/or control of most of its variables. Whereas the computer control has always been implemented both at PS and Linac in parallel with an existing 'manual' control system, at the Booster its design could be imbedded within the study of the overall project. (5 refs).