II.12 — Accelerator controls

All particle accelerators depend on control systems to integrate different devices and the autonomous controllers that are distributed throughout the facility into one coherent infrastructure. The control system provides an abstraction layer between hardware and the operators, and creates the environment that allows scientists to carry out their experiments. It also enables the technical support groups to compare previous data with current one in order to enhance the performance of their systems. This chapter provides an introduction into the structure and design of such control systems.