Design And Development Of The Control System For A Compact D-D Neutron Generator

Compact D-D neutron generator without using radioactive tritium, which has better radiation safety performance comparing with D-T neutron generator, can be widely used in neutron application technology instead of alternative isotopic neutron source. Development of a stable and reliable, easy-to- operate remote control system, is one of important task for the compact D-D neutron generator development.By concluding the overall structure of D-D neutron generator and the interface of each element. Basic requirements, which is about computer remote control and parameters real-time monitor, is put forward. On this basis, the design of hardware framework for computer remote control system was completed. In other words, the distributed control system with IPC and intelligent instruments was constituted. Serial device server was used as hardware of control system to realize protocol conversion between RS232 / 422/485 serial and TCP communication, which realized integration control system with multi device, multi communication protocol. Using ADAM-4068 remote I / O modules, which change the digital signal into an analog to control relay, to realize power control for each element. Using ADAM-4053 module to monitoring the power station of each element.According to the communication protocol of each equipments, based on Lab VIEW software development platform, the software of computer remote control system was completed. That is, under the framework of the main program, the ion source power sub-module, high voltage sub-module, gas mass flow meter sub-module, vacuum gauge sub-module, molecular pump sub-module and ADAM sub-module was designed. those modules can achieve parameter adjustment and monitoring of each device. A database about neutron generator operating parameters,which is Ngenerator, was built based on MySQL database management software. By means of Lab VIEW database access tools, database accessing program module was developed to duly save and query main operating parameters of neutron generator. The interface of computer control system was optimized in order to display clearly and easily to operation.After D-D neutron generator integrally assembled, we tested remote control and parameter monitor for the vacuum system, the ion source air system, the ion source power supply, high voltage power supply. The test results shown that the computer remote control system controlled each element effectively and parameter collected and displayed correctly. We carried out generating proton beam experiment, at the same time, to further test computer remote control system. the results show that the neutron generator and computer remote control system can be a long time stability, meet the overall design requirements. Under the conditions of generating proton beam, the beam on the target is greater than 1mA. The diameter of the beam spot on the target is less than 20 mm, meeting the requirements of the overall development.