Development of a PLC software prototype for the FAIR Personnel Access System (PAS)

Fellow started at CERN to work on this in April 2020.
The addendum to the contract between GSI and CERN was fully signed about 2 weeks ago.

Summary of the work done:

The PLC hardware configuration, software and communication protocols between PLCs have been agreed upon. CERN develops the PLC software in a simulation tool (PLCSIM Advanced v3.0), testing of the software with PAS hardware is done at GSI.

•The project was split between the Beam-Off-Group and the NE areas.

•The Beam-Off-Group is similar to CERN’s “Element Important de Security” and has to guarantee safe blocking of the beam.

•The NE area is the actual zone to which the access has to be regulated and safety guaranteed.

•For the Beam-Off-Group the functional specification has been written by GSI. A draft of the detailed technical specification is written by CERN. The first version of the PLC software together with HMI panels have been delivered by CERN to GSI. The software is presently under test at GSI with hardware for the PAS. First results are very promising.

Plans for 2021:

•Delivery of the functional specification of the NE area by GSI to CERN beginning of 2021. This involves many discussions on state diagrams between GSI and CERN.

•Delivery of PLC software and HMI of the NE area by CERN to GSI

•Follow-up of test results at GSI on the actual hardware for BOG and NE Area and update the PLC code if required

•Document and finalise the BOG and NE area codes in Technical Specifications (CERN)