The New CERN PS control system overview and status

Abstract The CERN PS control system is being completely rejuvenated. The existing system, whose design options were frozen in 1978, uses 16 bit minicomputers for process computers and for conventional consoles and services. These are being replaced by the agreed CERN Standard Architecture, using UNIX workstations as operator interface and VME based processors or PC frontends, under LynxOS. All CAMAC is essentially preserved. The project covers about five years and proceeds in steps of one year. Swicht over takes place in the annual shutdown, early in each year. No interference with the machine operation schedule is tolerated and this implies that no extra machine stops are planned for controls. The first two steps have been completed and operate to the complete satisfaction of the users; the LPI (Lep Preinjector) machines run since March 92 and the Proton Linac was started in March 93. The control system of the Lead Linac is being commissioned during 93 and 94. The third step of rejuvenation concerns the Booster machine and is under implementation now. The paper describes the architecture, the techniques used, the major components and the experience gained up to the conference time.