The second PIC prototype addresses the issue of high voltage drop in current loops caused by the industrial optocouplers used in the first full industrial prototype. While this problem has been resolved, only one manufacturer currently offers an industrial optocoupler that meets all PIC specifications. This dependency is unacceptable for a system with a projected lifespan exceeding 10 years.

Concept

The PICv2 system is built on PLC technology and features custom-designed electronic interfaces. At its core is a master crate (CIPM), which houses two Siemens S7-1500 family CPUs and a redundant power supply capable of supporting any entire PIC configuration. The master crate connects to distributed I/O slave crates via two independent PROFINET-IO fieldbuses, enabling communication with the Quench Protection System (QPS), Power Converters (PC), the general emergency stop system (AUG), the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and the Beam Interlock System (BIS). 

The system architecture dedicates one CPU to the full process control, while the second CPU is exclusively reserved for beam dump functionality.

To interface with all surrounding systems within an LHC powering subsector, only two types of slave crates are required: the CIPSA and CIPSB. Additionally, the CIPST crate, designed to interface with thermal switches from the DFHX and DFHM at LHC points 1 and 5 (HL-LHC), completes the PICv2 hardware portfolio.

All crates are designed from a standard 6U, 19" crate from SCHROFF. In particular, the CIPSA and CIPSB house two Siemens ET200MP I/O deported slaves (for redundancy) on the front connected to sliding tailor-made electronic boards on the rear through an electronic backplane and flat cables.

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CIPSB slave crate design

Control Architecture

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Interface Boards

There are 4 different sliding electronic cards, namely A, B, C and Ext cards; all complemented by their dedicated faceplate.

Card	Faceplate	Component	Description	EDMS File
	​	Card A	Interface board for: 1xA type circuits 2xB2 type circuits (Common QPS cable)	EDA-04868-V2-0 EDA-04869-V1-0
	​	Card B	Interface board for: 4xB1 type circuits	EDA-04870-V2-0 EDA-04871-V1-0
	​	Card C	Interface board for: 12xC type circuits	EDA-04872-V2-0 EDA-04873-V1-0
		Card EXT	Interface board for: 1xAUG 1xUPS 1xCIBU (Maskable) 1xCIBU (Unmaskable)	EDA-04874-V2-0 EDA-04875-V1-0
		Backplane for slave crate TYPE A		EDA-04876-V2-0
		Backplane for slave crate TYPE B		EDA-04877-V2-0