Upgrade of the AGOR Cyclotron Control System at UMCG-PARTREC

The AGOR cyclotron began development in the late 1980s and was commissioned in 1997. In 2020, when the facility was transferred from the University of Groningen to the University Medical Center Groningen, it marked the start of an upgrade process aimed at ensuring reliable operation. Recent, current and upcoming upgrades and additions encompass the following: Firstly, the current OT network uses custom IO modules based on the outdated Bitbus fieldbus. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the use of NI CompactRIO-based subracks for analog and digital IO. Also, a similar PLC-based solution is currently under investigation. Secondly, the current control system is based on Vsystem/Vista and alternatives are being investigated. Thirdly, PLCs are upgraded to a newer generation. Fourthly, the current harp electronics and beam current readout electronics both use components that are hard to procure and use a Bitbus interface. New, in-house designs constructed as generic I-V converters eliminate this fieldbus dependency. Fifthly, the present RF slow control employs feedback loops to regulate the RF power and phase. Our new design incorporates functional improvements and condenses several discrete modules into a single cassette, resulting in fewer expected issues with faulty cables and connectors, and enabling us to maintain a larger stock of spares. Finally, the UMCG Radiotherapy department is constructing a new beamline with support from the technical staff at UMCG-PARTREC. The control will be based on NI CompactRIO.