Physics operations with the DIII-D plasma control system

The DIII-D device began operation in 1986, and a fully digital plasma control system (PCS [J.L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002).]) was implemented in 1993. Over time, the success of the PCS to exploit the inherent versatility of the DIII-D device led to a philosophy of using the PCS to control all available plasma system actuators. This made the PCS a very powerful physics tool that is at the core of Physics Operations at DIII-D. The complexity of the DIII-D device and all the systems the PCS must control makes proper setup of the PCS for new experiments a daunting task. A cadre of physicists specially trained in PCS operation forms the Physics Operations staff at DIII-D. They are the interface between experimental plans and successful execution and, as such, are a critical component of each experiment. Physics Operations is also a set of tools and procedures. We will briefly examine some of those tools, such as the TokSys control design and modeling environment, and the `smart' PCS setup checklist, that greatly reduces human error in reconfiguring the PCS for a new experiment. We will examine the procedures that allow efficient use of those tools and some of the human factors that can affect productivity.