GUIDELINES AND A PRIMER ON APPLICATION OF FIELD- PROGRAMMABLE GATE ARRAYS (FPGAS) IN NUCLEAR PLANT IC SYSTEMS

摘要

This paper summarizes results of an EPRI project addressing the use of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) in nuclear power plants. FPGAs are gaining increased attention worldwide for application in nuclear plant instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, particularly for safety applications. Use of FPGAs has the potential to reduce complexity and the associated burden of gaining regulatory approval and also provide better protection against obsolescence as compared to conventional microprocessor-based systems. Although FPGAs are installed in a number of nuclear plants including safety applications and have been widely applied in other industries, they are still relatively new to the nuclear industry. The objective of the project and the resulting report, EPRI 1019181, was to assist utilities in understanding, evaluating and applying FPGAs in nuclear power plant I&C systems. The primary focus is on safety applications, but the information provided should also be helpful for non-safety applications of FPGAs. The report addresses use of FPGAs both in retrofits to operating plants and in new plant designs, focusing on aspects unique to the use of FPGA technology. The report provides a primer on FPGAs including their advantages and limitations as compared to other technologies. Guidance is provided on planning, specification, design, and safety justification for FPGA-based solutions. Finally, a number of detailed examples and case studies are provided, which provide insights and lessons learned from previous applications of FPGAs in nuclear plants worldwide, and a summary of experience gained in non-nuclear applications is provided including lessons learned from that experience.