Advancing instrumentation and control at the Nevada Test Site: An incremental approach toward a global solution Page: 4 of 11
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ground zero. Both hardwire and fiber optic cables are laid across the
desert floor and conduct information and comands between the trailers and
the diagnostics rack. The cables are lowered along with the diagnostics
rack, before final stemming. For horizontal tests the forward area control
station is situated within small alcoves carved into the side of the main
shaft deep within the mesa. Camunication is relayed between the
diagnostics equipment and the control station through hard wire and fiber
optic cables.
Because remaining in these forward control stations during the detonation is
impossible, the monitor and control signals from ground zero must be
transmitted via microwave to a manned location, called the control point.
The control point becomes the operational center for the tests shortly after
device insertion and stemming. The physical distance between the control
point and ground 4ero varies from a few miles to approximately thirty-five
miles.
Because the number of tests performed at the NTS varies for a given year and
each test requires a different process configuration, our tests are not
designed, built, and used repetitively for long periods of time.
TRADITIONAL INSTK METrATION AND CONT10L
In the past, individual experiments have been controlled as they would be at
any other process control plant. Hardwire conductors are directly connected
to a control panel and are terminated directly to the piece of equipment
being controlled. Simple switches and actuators frame the control panel
often directly supply the proper operating voltages and currents to this
equipment. Analog and discrete monitors are terminated at sensors on the
diagnostics rack and again at the control panel; typically, each monitor has
its own signal pair. In addition, select analog channels are multiplexed
through pulse coded modulation units and sent to control. point c mputers for
data archiving. This is a simplified description of a complicated process;
however this description provides a general overview of the instrumentation
and control system we use.
It is difficult to argue with both the simplicity and reliability of this
system when good equipment is used. And, to attempt an alternate method of
operation when "it's beer. done that way for year:" meets with a good deal of
resistance. Because the very nature of nuclear weapon testing requires an
extreme degree of reliability, we scrutinize new testing and diagnostics
techniques thoroughly. However, improving traditional techniques is
essential. Without an aggressive program to devr1 op faster, more accurate,
and safer techniques we are in danger of becorning stagnant.
In reality, policy makers and managers are not a ways willing to comit
themselves to this type of forward thinking. Also, most systems such as
ours cannot simply shut down while a totally new system is being implemented
or a new operating philosophy developed. To overcome this limitation we
have established a section within our group for investigating enhancements
to our operating procedures and then phasing in these enhvncements. This
continuous, ongoing research and development activity is detrigned to prevent
us frcm stagnating while keeping our irtr umetation and control system
extremely reliable.2
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Trujillo, Leonard T. Advancing instrumentation and control at the Nevada Test Site: An incremental approach toward a global solution, article, January 1, 1987; New Mexico. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1110354/m1/4/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.