Real-time multi-DSP based VME system for feedback control on the TCV tokamak

This paper describes a real-time pulse height analysis diagnostic for feedback control of the TCV plasma. The implementation of this diagnostic is based on a new generation X-ray detector with high resolution and count rate, an on-site developed VME intelligent module, with parallel processing capabilities provided by four digital signal processors, and several digital signal processing algorithms. Results show that a value of the electron temperature (T/sub e/) is calculated in about 100 ms, allowing to obtain a twenty T/sub e/ profile during a TCV discharge. The time resolution might be increased by improving the X-ray detecting system and/or the processing procedures.