ESRF Control Room: Layout, activities and interactions

L. Hardy, ESRF, BP 220 avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble Cedex




Abstract

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) is a X-ray 
source of the third generation. The accelerator complex is 
composed of a Linear accelerator (e- 200 MeV), a synchrotron 
(300 meters - 6 GeV) and a Storage Ring (844 metres). Only 
one full time operator and one volunteer on shift operate these 
accelerators from the Control Room (CTRM). About 15 
computer terminals control and/or monitor each piece of 
equipment. The design has been made in such a way that a fault 
or a warning on a piece of equipment is immediately visible. 
Thanks to preloaded applications on the terminals, a fast and 
thorough diagnostic is possible. The general control room layout 
enables one person on his own to control all the facilities, 
however, more than 10 people can work in the Control Room 
without overcrowding it (Machine Dedicated Days for instance). 
In addition all the ESRF site alarms are directed to the Control 
Room and the operation crew has to manage safety actions. This 
paper will review the design philosophy of the CTRM, the basic 
principles of the Control System, the organisational aspects and 
the interfaces between the CTRM and the Users.