Design and implementation of a new Controller for CERN's sub-ppm stable Current source

This work describes the design and development of the controller of the CERN DCTT Calibrator (CDC), a critical component in the power converter controls system in CERN's facilities. The CDC is responsible for providing an accurate and reliable current that can be used to calibrate current sensors or other devices. The development of the controller of such an instrument is described in the following pages, following a hardware upgrade that was carried out in the recent past. The research begins with an introduction to CERN and the LHC, setting the stage for understanding the significance of the CDC within this context. The thesis then explores the CDC's working principles, its recent upgrade, and the control system requirements for its operation. Special attention is given to the explanation of the working principle of DCCTs (Direct-Current Current Transformers) and the stringent calibration requirements they must meet. A key focus of the thesis is the hardware and software aspects of the CDC. It presents a comparative study of different system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, highlighting the adoption of the Zynq system and the use of FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology. The thesis also addresses the application of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) methodologies in FPGA development, leading to a leap in development efficiency and reliability. The software development section describes the Petalinux operating system and the development of the Python application and user-space drivers. Lastly, the thesis presents application and performance testing methodologies, including continuous integration and deployment strategies, to ensure the CDC's robustness and reliability. The performance assessment section provides an overview on the challenging metrological validation of the instrument's performance and the results of the tests carried out.