IFMIF-DONES control systems: general architecture

IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility DEMO-Oriented NEutron Source) Facility Project is a novel research infrastructure for testing and qualifying structural materials for future fusion reactors under relevant irradiation conditions. The project is implemented through in-kind contributions within the DONES Programme. IFMIF-DONES Control Systems are organized in two levels: Central and Local Instrumentation and Control Systems (CICS and LICS), connected through a complex network infrastructure. The CICS comprises three systems: Control, Data Access and Communication which is responsible for normal operation via central supervision and control, timing and synchronization, data management, alarm handling, system administration, and software management; Machine Protection System that ensures protection of investment against failures or operational errors; and Safety Control System, that implements the safety functions to protect personnel and the environment, including radiological protection functions. Several of the key technologies have been validated through the Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator (LIPAc), enabling risk mitigation and design consolidation. This contribution provides an overview of the IFMIF-DONES Control Systems architecture, focusing on strategic decisions for availability, maintainability, and long-term operability, as well as coordination frameworks addressing complex challenges throughout the project lifecycle.