The control system of the CERN platform for the test of the High Luminosity LHC superconducting magnets

A new generation of superconducting magnets is being developped, in the framework of the HL-LHC upgrade project. Several laboratories in Europe, USA, Japan and Russia collaborate on this project. One of the tasks assigned to CERN is to conduct the optimization tests and later the series tests, for the MQXFS and MQXF-A/B magnets. A new dedicated test bench has been built at the CERN superconducting magnet test facility (SM18), where these magnets will be evaluated under their operational conditions in the LHC tunnel. To fulfill the test conditions on these high performance magnets, a new high frequency data acquisition system (DAQ) has been designed, associated to a new software used to control two 15 kA power converters. This article presents all the technical aspects of these two major components of the test platform, from the PXIe hardware selection of the DAQ system to the operational applications deployment. The commissioning phase and results of the first measurement campaign are also reported.