Dynamic signal compensation using field programmable gate arrays

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have become a subject of considerable interest in recent years for certain applications in the nuclear industry. A major reason for the interest in FPGA-based systems is for replacing instrumentation and control systems that were installed when Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) were constructed decades ago. Here, an FPGA is used to perform the digital logic for the Dynamic Signal Compensator (DSC) used in the Neutron Overpower Protection (NOP) system in CANDU NPPs. The functionality of the design is tested for vanadium and rhodium detectors, with the FPGA-based detector responses being compared to reference values. (author)