Abstract: Tuning and controlling particle accelerators is time consuming and expensive. Inherently nonlinear, this control problem is one to which conventional methods have not satisfactorily been applied; the result is constant and expensive monitoring by human operators. In recent years, and with isolated successes, advanced information technologies such as expert systems and neural networks have been applied to the individual pieces of this problem. Most advanced information technology attempts are also very special purpose and built in a manner not at all generalizable to other accelerator installations. In this paper, we discuss preliminary results of our research combining various methodologies from…the field of artificial intelligence into a general control system for accelerator tuning. We consider state space search and adaptive/learning algorithms including fuzzy logic, rule-based reasoning, neural networks, and genetic algorithms. We then propose a framework for applying these methods to a general purpose system for control. Finally, we discuss future plans for extending the system to include parallel distributed reasoning, an enhanced object structure, and additional heuristic control methods.
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Abstract: Frameworks are reusable object-oriented designs for domain-specific programs. In our estimation, frameworks are the key to productivity and reuse. However, frameworks require increased support from the programming environment. A framework-based environment must include design aides and project browsers that can mediate between the user and the framework. A framework-based approach also places new requirements on conventional tools such as compilers. This article explores the impact of object-oriented frameworks upon a programming environment, in the context of object-oriented finite element and finite difference codes. The role of tools such as design aides and project browsers is discussed, and the impact of…a framework-based approach upon compilers is examined. Examples are drawn from our prototype C++ based environment.
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