AC2 - Advanced Course on Plasma Control & CODAC (5 ECTS)
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Course unit English denomination | Advanced Course on Plasma Control & CODAC |
Teacher in charge (if defined) | - Gianmaria De Tommasi, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; - other lecturers (national and international experts) |
Teaching Hours | 30h |
Number of ECTS credits allocated | 5 |
Course period | February 2026 |
Course delivery method | ☒ In presence ☐ Remotely ☒ Blended |
Language of instruction | English |
Mandatory attendance | ☒ Yes (% minimum of presence) ☐ No |
Course unit contents | This course provides in depth introduction to the following subjects related to both plasma control and data acquisition and control systems for magnetic confinement fusion devices (CODAC): - Fundamentals of control theory - Plasma axisymmetric magnetic modelling & control - Control of MHD instabilities - Plasma scenario design & optimization - Plasma Control System Architecture - Instrumentation & Control (I&C) systems |
Learning goals | The course aims at introducing the students to the feedback control theory and to its application to the magnetic control of thermonuclear plasmas. It includes one day fully dedicated to lectures on systems and control theory. The control framework is than used to tackle the main plasma magnetic control problems that arise in magnetically confined thermonuclear fusion experimental devices. Hands-on session using Matlab and Simulink are also envisaged to introduce the students to the model-based design of the basic magnetic control algorithms. The course includes also lectures devoted to the design of plasma scenarios, implementation of real-time control systems, as well as seminars from scientists from the main fusion devices in operation or under design. |
Teaching methods | - Frontal teaching - Seminar lectures with the participation of including national and international experts - Hands-on session using Matlab and Simulink |
Course on transversal, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary skills | ☒ Yes ☐ No |
Available for PhD students from other courses | ☒ Yes ☐ No |
Prerequisites (not mandatory) | ODE, Laplace transform, Z transform, Fourier analysis, basic knowledge of magneto hydrodynamics |
Examination methods (in applicable) | Two hours examination via moodle, including open questions/multiple choice questions/ numerical exercises. |
Suggested readings | Reference book – Plasma control: M. Ariola, A. Pironti, Magnetic Control of Tokamak Plasmas, Springer-Verlag, 2016
Reference books – Control theory: F. M. Callier and C. A. Desoer, Linear System Theory Springer-Verlag, 1991 G. F. Franklin, J. D. Powell and A. Emami-Naeini, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008 S. Skogestad and I. Postlethwaite, Multivariable Feedback Control - Analysis and Design John Wiley and Sons, 2006 |
Additional information | Presentations and lesson materials will be made available in moodle. |
