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CourseDefense, Military Engineering & Land Systems Enrolment open

Course on Digital Control in Tokamaks

Online course of 300 h in Digital Control in Tokamaks. 6 modules covering IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages), IEC 61508 (functional safety) and MATLAB/Simulink. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the tokamak physics relevant to control.

02

Describe the measurement systems used in closed loop.

03

Design plasma position and shape controllers.

04

Analyse kinetic control and disruption mitigation.

05

Define a real-time digital control architecture.

06

Integrate functional safety and cybersecurity requirements.

07

Develop a control project for a reference tokamak.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Plasma control engineer looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • Real-time systems engineer looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • Diagnostics for control specialist looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • CODAC software engineer looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • Tokamak physics researcher looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • Machine protection engineer looking to specialise in Digital Control in Tokamaks.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into fusion research centres.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61131-3 (PLC programming languages)
  • IEC 61508 (functional safety)
  • ITER Plant Control Design Handbook (PCDH)
  • IEEE 1588 (PTP clock synchronisation)
  • IEC 62443 (industrial cybersecurity)
  • IEC 61499 (distributed function blocks)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and Grad-Shafranov
  2. 1.2Plasma current and poloidal field
  3. 1.3Safety factor q and profiles
  4. 1.4Plasma shape: elongation and triangularity
  5. 1.5Vertical instability
  6. 1.6Density and beta limits
  7. 1.7L-mode and H-mode confinement
  8. 1.8Disruptions and their consequences
  9. 1.9Linear plasma models
  10. 1.10Workshop: equilibrium reconstruction with EFIT
  1. 2.1Magnetic coils and flux loops
  2. 2.2Rogowski coils
  3. 2.3Interferometry for density
  4. 2.4Polarimetry and current measurement
  5. 2.5Radiation bolometry
  6. 2.6Real-time MHD diagnostics
  7. 2.7High-speed data acquisition
  8. 2.8Synchronisation and timing
  9. 2.9Filtering and state estimation
  10. 2.10Lab: magnetic signal processing
  1. 3.1Position and current control
  2. 3.2Shape control with multiple coils
  3. 3.3Vertical stabilisation
  4. 3.4MIMO control and decoupling
  5. 3.5Robust H-infinity control
  6. 3.6Model predictive control (MPC)
  7. 3.7Current profile control
  8. 3.8The ITER PCS
  9. 3.9Reinforcement learning control on TCV
  10. 3.10Practice: designing a vertical controller in MATLAB
  1. 4.1Density control with gas injection
  2. 4.2ECRH and NBI heating control
  3. 4.3Tearing mode control with ECCD
  4. 4.4ELM control with magnetic perturbations
  5. 4.5AI-based disruption prediction
  6. 4.6Pellet injection mitigation systems
  7. 4.7Divertor radiation control
  8. 4.8Normalised beta control
  9. 4.9Off-normal event management
  10. 4.10Case study: a disruption predictor at JET
  1. 5.1The MARTe and MARTe2 platforms
  2. 5.2ITER CODAC standards
  3. 5.3Real-time operating systems
  4. 5.4FPGAs and GPUs in the control loop
  5. 5.5Deterministic networks and latencies
  6. 5.6Plasma flight simulators
  7. 5.7Software-in-the-loop validation
  8. 5.8Interlocks and machine protection
  9. 5.9Reliability and availability
  10. 5.10Lab: real-time control with MARTe2
  1. 6.1Defining the operating scenario
  2. 6.2Plasma plant model
  3. 6.3Selecting actuators and sensors
  4. 6.4Controller design
  5. 6.5Real-time implementation
  6. 6.6Simulation of the full scenario
  7. 6.7Robustness to disturbances
  8. 6.8Performance evaluation
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, making it easy to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The software used is MATLAB/Simulink, EPICS, MARTe2, ITER CODAC Core System, EFIT, in free, academic or trial versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from simulation of vertical plasma control, real-time control loop tests, disruption analysis on experimental data. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus a final capstone project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible study mode(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Defining the operating scenario

Explain the tokamak physics relevant to control.

Plasma plant model

Describe the measurement systems used in closed loop.

Selecting actuators and sensors

Design plasma position and shape controllers.

Controller design

Analyse kinetic control and disruption mitigation.

Real-time implementation

Define a real-time digital control architecture.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Plasma control engineerReal-time systems engineerDiagnostics for control specialistCODAC software engineerTokamak physics researcherMachine protection engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No previous qualification is required.
  • An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • A level of English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with MATLAB/Simulink, EPICS, MARTe2, ITER CODAC Core System, EFIT. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and your tutor will point out a free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the capstone project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state-accredited degree.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.

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