Implementing high-level control functions for the TAMU K-500 cyclotron

The control system for the TAMU K-500 superconducting cyclotron provides basic accelerator controls. It is comprised of networked IBM-XT clone computers, has a highly responsive push-button operator console and is coded in FORTH, using program-generation tools including a data base describing the control system. As the system expands to accommodate more accelerator subsystems, there is a need to extend it by implementing high-level control functions such as support for tuning an electron cyclotron resonance ion source. New hardware in the form of MS-DOS workstations has been added to run these functions. The software development for the first workstation program has laid the groundwork for subsequent high-level functions. An overview of the total control system is also presented. (orig.)