Integration of the state observer RAPTOR in the real-time MARTe framework at RFX-mod

The RAPTOR - RApid Transport simulatOR code [F. Felici et al 2011 Nucl. Fusion 51 083052] is a model-based control-oriented code that predicts Tokamak plasma profile evolution in real-time. One of its key applications is in a state observer, where the real-time predictions are combined with the measurements of the available diagnostics, yielding a complete estimate of the plasma profiles.The state observer RAPTOR is currently installed in the real-time control system of TCV, where it has been originally developed, ASDEX-Upgrade and recently RFX-mod. The last has pioneered its integration in the real-time MARTe - Multi-threaded Application Real-Time executor framework [G. Manduchi et al 2014 Fusion Eng. Des. 89 224], which will be the topic of this work.Thanks to this, RFX-mod can now contribute to develop integrated control techniques based on the state observer RAPTOR to avoid disruptions, which are highly reproducible in q(a)<2 RFX-mod Tokamak plasmas. Furthermore, coupling this code to the Tokamak equilibrium reconstruction code LIUQE [J. M. Moret et al 2015 Fusion Eng. Des. 91 1] is also currently under development at RFX-mod.Recently, RAPTOR has been applied to model ITER plasmas [J.Citrin et al Nucl.Fusion 2015 55 092001; J. van Dongen et al 2014 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 56 125008; E. Maljaars et al, 2015 Nucl. Fusion 55 023001] and it is going to be extensively used to investigate control in DEMO, thus its real-time integration in present fusion devices, including RFX-mod, will promote its development and validation in view of the operation of the future fusion reactors. Acknowledgment. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.