Remote Device Access in the New CERN Accelerator Controls Middleware

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Remote Device Access (RDA) package at CERN, enabling reliable, location-independent control of accelerator devices through a distributed, model-based middleware system.

Contribution

It presents the design, architecture, and implementation of RDA, a novel middleware package for remote device control in accelerator systems.

Findings

RDA provides reliable, location-independent device access.

RDA supports read, write, and subscribe operations.

First applications demonstrate effective integration in CERN controls.

Abstract

This paper presents the Remote Device Access (RDA) package developed at CERN in the framework of the joint PS/SL Controls Middleware project. The package design reflects the Accelerator Device Model in which devices, named entities in the control system, can be controlled via properties. RDA implements this model in a distributed environment with devices residing in servers that can run anywhere in the controls network. It provides a location-independent and reliable access to the devices from control programs. By invoking the device access methods, clients can read, write and subscribe to device property values. We describe the architecture and design of RDA, its API, and CORBA-based implementations in Java and C++. First applications of RDA in the CERN accelerator control systems are described as well.