A dual-network centralized control system for Elettra 2.0

The Elettra 2.0 storage ring, scheduled for commissioning in 2026, introduces a novel control system architecture, departing from distributed front-end computers. High processing power and intelligent devices, such as magnet power converters, beam position monitors, beam loss monitors, low-level RF systems, and fast interlocks, support centralization. These devices connect through a dual-network design: a standard Ethernet link, managed by virtual servers running Tango, handles supervision, while a high-speed fibre-optic link with custom protocols enables real-time control. Fast interfaces feed a centralized, multi-core real-time (RT) server, where hardware partitioning and the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) allow low-latency processing up to 1.1 MHz. Conceptually, each core mimics a front-end computer, while the server’s RAM acts as a high-speed communication bus minimizing delay and latency. This architecture simplifies the infrastructure, improves scalability and enables advanced machine-wide control, ensuring reliability for next-generation accelerators.