Fusion for Energy delivers electronics to monitor ITER's Magnetic Field
ITER will use powerful magnets to confine its super-hot plasma. The device needs to monitor the magnetic field in real time to ensure the plasma remains stable and optimise the conditions for the fusion reaction. To do so, it will use the so-called magnetics diagnostic. These comprise a network of sensor coils inside the device that capture any changes of the magnetic field. Their signals will be transmitted via electronic equipment, and specialised codes will then translate the vast physics data into information for automatic monitoring and for experts to analyse. In addition to most of the sensors, Fusion for Energy (F4E) is providing the electronics and the software for the magnetics diagnostic.
The electronics have been completed. During the last ten years, F4E has been collaborating with GTD and several subcontractors to develop and manufacture this system, which consists of thousands of components, kilometres of cabling, and advanced software. While some of the equipment was standard, other parts were specifically designed to meet ITER’s unprecedented requirements.
One of the most critical electronics were the integrators. Around 1700 integrator units will measure changes in the magnetic field. “We needed an extraordinarily stable integrator to work precisely in the long pulses of ITER. There weren’t any on the market, so we worked with IST and CCFE to develop an upgraded version for ITER,” asserts André Neto, technical officer following the contract for F4E.
ALTER coordinated the manufacturing of these custom-made electronics. Despite their complexity, the biggest challenges came from the procurement of conventional components. “Post-pandemic worldwide shortages in the supply of electronics threatened to delay the project. However, thanks to intensified efforts in redesigning and sourcing, we managed to move forward and deliver on time,” recounts Mario Rueda, Project Manager at ALTER.
