ESS Bilbao Interlock System Approach

This paper describes the approach used at ESS-Bilbao initiative for the implementation of the Interlock System. The system is divided into two parts depending on the required speed for the system response: Slow Interlocks (>100 msec.) and Fast Interlocks (<100 msec.). Besides, both interlocks parts are arranged in two layers: Local Layer and Master Layer. The Slow Interlocks subsystem is based on PLCs. This solution is being tested in the ESS Bilbao ECR ion source with positive results and the first version design is now complete for the LEBT system. For the Fast Interlocks local layer part, a solution based on NI cRIO has been designed and tested. In these tests a maximum response time of 3.5 usec. was measured for analog acquisition, threshold comparison and signal generation. For digital signals the maximum time response of a equivalent process was 500 nsec. These responses are considered valid for the standard need of the project. Finally, to extract information from the interlocks system and its monitoring, the Modbus/EPICS interface is used for Slow Interlocks, while EPICS output is produced by NI cRIO. Hence, it is planned to develop a light pyQT solution to perform this task.