Progress in the design of ITER front-end vacuum instrumentation and controls

The ITER vacuum system will be one of the largest and most complex vacuum systems ever to be built. Extensive instrumentation and controls are being developed to satisfy the stringent vacuum processes necessary for the successful and safe operation of the ITER Tokamak. The complexity and deep integration of the vacuum systems within the ITER machine presents a challenge to implement all of the controls necessary for reliable operation. Several thousand valves and sensors have to be implemented within the harsh environmental conditions of the Tokamak vicinity, and require engineering of instrumentation and controls with remote electronics solutions.