An accelerator control interface system (ACI) and control method applied to AB-BNCT

Abstract

The application discloses an AB-BNCT accelerator ACI control device and method, and belongs to the technical field of particle accelerators; wherein, the embedded control system platform is provided with a double-network card isolation framework; the first network card is used for data interaction with a treatment control system TCS, receives control command information of the treatment control system TCS, and transmits back command response information of the treatment control system TCS and current state information of the accelerator; the second network card is used for data interaction with an accelerator control system ACS, and key important signals are transmitted through optical signals. The application provides an AB-BNCT accelerator ACI control method and device, realizes that the treatment control system TCS system controls the accelerator control system ACS through the accelerator control interface system ACI control device, and thus ensures the safe and accurate request and termination of the beam.

Description

An Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) and Control Method Applied to AB-BNCT Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of particle accelerator technology, and in particular relates to an accelerator control interface system (ACI) and control method applied to AB-BNCT. Background Technology

[0002] Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) is an advanced radiotherapy technique that uses a particle accelerator to generate a neutron beam, combined with boron-containing drugs, for precise tumor treatment. Compared to traditional nuclear reactor neutron sources, the AB-BNCT accelerator is safer, more compact, and suitable for deployment in hospital environments, making it a core piece of equipment for the clinical promotion of BNCT technology.

[0003] The Accelerator Control System (ACS) is a complete, fully automated accelerator control system used to automatically start, control, and protect all equipment in the accelerator. It features comprehensive functions including status monitoring, fault diagnosis, equipment safety interlocks, and automatic recording of operating data.

[0004] The Treatment Control System (TCS) is the core component of AB-BNCT, responsible for the precise, safe, and efficient implementation of tumor treatment. This system integrates functions such as accelerator operation, neutron beam modulation, patient positioning, and radiation safety to ensure the treatment process meets clinical requirements.

[0005] The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) is a bridge connecting the Accelerator Control System (ACS) and the Therapeutic Control System (TCS). It is the core intermediate layer connecting the hardware of the TCS and the ACS, responsible for command transmission, status monitoring and safety interlocking, ensuring the accurate and stable output of the proton beam.

[0006] The accelerator control interface system (ACI), acting as a bridge between the two, directly impacts the stability of the entire system and the therapeutic effect. However, existing accelerator control interface systems (ACI) may have the following technical shortcomings:

[0007] 1. Network interference and data interaction efficiency issues: Existing treatment control systems (TCS) and accelerator control systems (ACS) typically interact with each other through a single network, which can easily lead to network congestion and data transmission delays. The lack of network isolation causes mutual interference between TCS and ACS, affecting the stability and real-time performance of the system.

[0008] 2. Insufficient anti-interference capability: The transmission of hard signals in existing systems usually uses electrical signals, which are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, leading to signal distortion or transmission errors; especially in complex electromagnetic environments, this may affect the normal operation of the system.

[0009] 3. Communication efficiency and real-time issues: The existing system's communication process may not be optimized enough, lacking an efficient communication mechanism, resulting in low data transmission efficiency, inability to report changes in status signals in a timely manner, and the system's inability to respond quickly to status changes, thus affecting overall operating efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To address the technical deficiencies in the existing technology, this application provides an accelerator control interface system (ACI) and control method for AB-BNCT. By optimizing the hardware architecture and software communication process, the treatment control system (TCS) can schedule the accelerator control system (ACS) through the ACI control device, thereby ensuring the safe and accurate request and termination of the beam. The ACI system, applied to AB-BNCT, bridges the ACS and TCS systems to complete beam acquisition and scheduling.

[0011] The technical solution is as follows:

[0012] On the one hand, an accelerator control interface system (ACI) for AB-BNCT is provided, which includes hardware and software. The hardware includes:

[0013] The embedded control system platform architecture features a dual-NIC architecture.

[0014] The first network card is used to interact with the treatment control system (TCS), receive control command information from the TCS, and send back command response information from the TCS and the current status information of the accelerator.

[0015] The second network card is used to interact with the accelerator control system ACS and display the control information logs of the treatment control system TCS received by the accelerator control interface system ACI on the accelerator control system ACS.

[0016] All critical signals between the Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system, the Treatment Control System (TCS), and the Accelerator Control System (ACS) are transmitted via optical signals.

[0017] Furthermore, the embedded control system platform includes:

[0018] The power module is used to provide a stable power supply for the entire device;

[0019] The photoelectric conversion module is responsible for converting electrical signals and optical signals to each other. It is used to convert all hard signals between the ACI accelerator control interface system and the TCS treatment control system equipment and the ACS accelerator control system into optical signals for transmission.

[0020] The main control module is used to process various control signals and data interactions.

[0021] Furthermore, the photoelectric conversion module includes: a light emitting plate and a light receiving plate;

[0022] The optical receiver is used to convert electrical signals into optical signals;

[0023] The light-emitting plate is used to convert optical signals into electrical signals.

[0024] Furthermore, the photoelectric conversion module is connected to the main control module via a level conversion chip, and the optical receiver board and optical transmitter board are connected to the main control module via level conversion chips respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, the software is based on an embedded operating system and uses C language and Verilog hardware programming language to design the program. The communication process adopts a question-and-answer interactive mode. For changes in status signals, an active reporting strategy is adopted to collect the beam status of the accelerator control system ACS in real time and actively push it to the treatment control system TCS through optical signals.

[0026] Furthermore, the treatment control system TCS includes: a dose control system DCM, a facility interlock control system FICM, a dose verification system DVM, and a beam scheduling system BSS; the beam scheduling system BSS establishes a first communication link with the accelerator control interface system ACI, and the accelerator control interface system ACI is connected to the facility interlock control system FICM and the dose control system DCM through a second communication link.

[0027] Furthermore, the first communication link is an Ethernet-based communication channel between the beam scheduling system BSS and the accelerator control interface system ACI.

[0028] The second communication link is a hybrid communication channel established between the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM), and the Dosage Control System (DCM) via a photoelectric conversion module.

[0029] On the other hand, an ACI control method for an accelerator control interface system applied to AB-BNCT, applied to the aforementioned ACI system for AB-BNCT, includes:

[0030] Beam request and command generation phase:

[0031] The treatment control system (TCS) sends beam request / cancellation commands to the beam dispatching system (BSS);

[0032] The beam scheduling system BSS generates a switching command containing the target room identifier and sends it to the accelerator control interface system ACI, where non-treatment requests are identified as garbage targets.

[0033] The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system transmits data from the target treatment room to the Accelerator Control System (ACS) via a photoelectric conversion module.

[0034] Beam path switching execution phase:

[0035] When a change occurs in the head treatment room, the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) sends a beam transport line switching command to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI). Upon receiving the switching command, the ACI sends a feedback command to the BSS and forwards the switching command to the Accelerator Control System (ACS). The ACS executes the transport line switching. After the ACI determines that the switching is complete, it sends the switching result back to the BSS.

[0036] At the same time, the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) will provide the corresponding room number to the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM). After receiving the room number from the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM) will send the received room number back to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI).

[0037] Further, the dose control phase:

[0038] After receiving the beam ready signal forwarded by the accelerator control interface system (ACI) in the treatment control system (TCS);

[0039] If the treatment control system (TCS) scheduling command enables beam generation, the dose control system (DCM) generates a beam enable signal and sends it to the accelerator control interface system (ACI). Upon receiving the beam enable signal, the ACI forwards it to the accelerator control system (ACS). After receiving the beam enable signal from the ACI, the ACS issues a normal beam exit signal. Upon receiving the normal beam exit signal from the ACS, the ACI sends a beam enable feedback signal to the DCM to confirm that beam has been exited.

[0040] Further, the accelerator state end-to-end synchronization phase:

[0041] Accelerator status query: The treatment control system TCS sends an accelerator status query message to the beam scheduling system BSS. The beam scheduling system BSS forwards the message to the accelerator control interface system ACI to obtain the real-time status. After receiving the accelerator status message from the accelerator control interface system ACI, it forwards the message back to the corresponding treatment control system TCS.

[0042] Accelerator status reporting: When the accelerator status is detected to have changed, the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) actively sends an accelerator status message to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS). After receiving the accelerator status message from the ACI, the BSS forwards it to all Treatment Control Systems (TCSs).

[0043] The technical solution includes at least the following technical effects:

[0044] 1. The hardware design of this application adopts an embedded control system platform architecture, mainly including a power supply, a light receiving board, a light transmitting board, and a main control board. All hard signals between the accelerator control interface system (ACI), the treatment control system equipment (TCS), and the accelerator control system (ACS) are converted into optical signals for transmission through a photoelectric conversion module. This has high electromagnetic compatibility, effectively avoids external electromagnetic interference, and significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of signal transmission.

[0045] 2. The software design of this application is based on an embedded operating system, and the program is developed using C language and Verilog hardware programming language. The communication process adopts a "question and answer, back and forth" interactive mode to ensure the integrity and accuracy of data transmission. Simultaneously, for changes in status signals, the system adopts an active reporting strategy, providing real-time feedback on status changes to the treatment control system (TCS) and the accelerator control system (ACS), ensuring that the system can promptly understand status transitions. The entire software process is rigorous and standardized, thereby improving the efficiency and safety of the control process.

[0046] 3. This application's hardware features a dual-NIC architecture, achieving network isolation between the Treatment Control System (TCS) and the Accelerator Control System (ACS), preventing mutual interference and influence. The first NIC is dedicated to data interaction with the TCS, receiving control commands and sending back command responses and the accelerator's current status. The second NIC interacts with the ACS, displaying the TCS information logs received by the Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) on the ACS, facilitating later fault location and indexing. This effectively avoids network congestion, improves communication speed, ensures data transmission stability and efficiency, and achieves mutual non-interference between the two systems.

[0047] 4. The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system converts all hard signals into optical signals for transmission via a photoelectric conversion module, which not only improves electromagnetic compatibility but also facilitates troubleshooting. The Accelerator Control System (ACS) can record the Treatment Control System (TCS) information log received by the ACI system in real time, facilitating rapid fault location and maintenance, and significantly reducing the complexity and cost of system maintenance.

[0048] 5. By optimizing the electromagnetic compatibility of the hardware design, introducing software communication processes and network isolation mechanisms, this application significantly improves the safety and reliability of the AB-BNCT system, ensuring the accurate and stable output of the beam and providing a reliable guarantee for clinical treatment. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0050] Figure 1 is a hardware block diagram of an accelerator control interface system (ACI) for AB-BNCT provided in this application;

[0051] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the accelerator control interface system ACI applied to AB-BNCT according to a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 3 is a flowchart of switching the beam transport line to the target treatment room according to a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 4 is a flowchart of switching the beam transport line to the garbage target according to a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an accelerator status query provided in a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the accelerator status active reporting process provided in a preferred embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 7 is a flowchart of ACI and BSS communication command information reporting provided for a preferred embodiment of this application; Detailed Implementation

[0057] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0058] Explanation of related terms:

[0059] AB-BNCT (Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) is an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy.

[0060] ACS (Accelerator Control System) is abbreviated as accelerator control system.

[0061] TCS (Treatment Control System) is a treatment control system.

[0062] ACI (Accelerator Control Interface) is a system for controlling accelerators.

[0063] A DCM (Dose Control Monitor) is a system primarily used to monitor radiation dose.

[0064] FICM (Facility Interlock Control Monitor) is a facility interlock control system primarily used to implement safety interlocks for facilities.

[0065] A DVM (Dose Verify Monitor) is a system primarily used to verify the amount of radiation dose.

[0066] The Beam Schedule System (BSS) is primarily used to control accelerator beamline switching.

[0067] The Treatment Control System (TCS) includes a Dose Control System (DCM), a Facility Interlock Control System (FICM), a Dose Verification System (DVM), and a Beam Scheduling System (BSS).

[0068] This application provides an accelerator control interface system (ACI) for AB-BNCT, encompassing both hardware and software design. The hardware design primarily includes a power module, a photoelectric conversion module, and a main control module. Key signals are transmitted via optical signals, ensuring high electromagnetic compatibility. The software design is based on an embedded operating system, using C and Verilog hardware programming languages. The communication process employs a question-and-answer interactive mode, and a proactive reporting strategy is used for status signal changes, facilitating timely system awareness of status transitions. The entire software process is rigorous and standardized.

[0069] The power module is used to provide a stable power supply for the entire device.

[0070] The photoelectric conversion module includes a light emitting plate and a light receiving plate. The photoelectric conversion module is responsible for converting electrical signals and optical signals to each other. It is used to convert all hard signals between the ACI accelerator control interface system and the TCS treatment control system equipment and the ACS accelerator control system into optical signals for transmission.

[0071] The main control module is used to process various control signals and data interactions.

[0072] The hardware adopts an embedded control system platform architecture with a dual network card architecture, which realizes network isolation between the treatment control system TCS and the accelerator control system ACS, so that they do not interfere with or affect each other.

[0073] The first network interface card (NIC) is specifically used for data interaction with the treatment control system (TCS), receiving control commands from the TCS and transmitting command responses and the accelerator's current status information back to the TCS. The second NIC is used for data interaction with the accelerator control system (ACS), displaying the logs of information received from the TCS by the accelerator control system's application interface (ACI) on the ACS, facilitating later fault location and indexing. This effectively avoids network congestion, improves communication speed, ensures stable and efficient data transmission, and achieves non-interference between the two systems. Preferably, the first NIC transmits data via Ethernet, and the second NIC transmits data via fiber optic communication.

[0074] In addition, all hard signals between the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), the Treatment Control System (TCS), and the Accelerator Control System (ACS) are converted into optical signals for transmission via photoelectric conversion modules, exhibiting excellent electromagnetic compatibility characteristics.

[0075] The dose control system (DCM), facility interlock control system (FICM), dose control system (DVM), and beam scheduling system (BSS) are internal equipment of the treatment control system (TCS).

[0076] The beam scheduling system BSS establishes a first communication link with the accelerator control interface system ACI. The accelerator control interface system ACI is connected to the facility interlocking control system FICM and the dose control system DCM through a second communication link.

[0077] The first communication link is a TCP / IP communication channel based on the Ethernet protocol between the beam scheduling system BSS and the accelerator control interface system ACI.

[0078] The second communication link is a hybrid communication channel established between the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM), and the Dosage Control System (DCM) via a photoelectric conversion module.

[0079] Figure 1 shows a hardware block diagram of an accelerator control interface system (ACI) applied to AB-BNCT. Its working principle is as follows:

[0080] The beam scheduling system BSS sends the treatment room number of the currently needed beam to the accelerator control interface system ACI. The accelerator control interface system ACI sends the treatment room number to the accelerator control system ACS through the light emission board. The accelerator control system ACS compares the current treatment room number with the set treatment room number to determine whether to execute the switching procedure.

[0081] If the two systems do not match, a switching procedure is executed; otherwise, the switching procedure is not executed. Regardless of whether the switching procedure is executed, the room number after the procedure is completed is sent back to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI). The ACI then replies to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) via Ethernet with the switched room number, thus determining whether the switching was successful.

[0082] The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system will simultaneously provide the corresponding room number to the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM). The FICM system will also provide feedback on whether it has received the current room number. If the FICM system has not received the room number, it will send a stop-beam interlock signal to the Accelerator Control System (ACS). If the FICM system receives the room number from the ACI system, it will provide feedback on the received room number to the ACI system.

[0083] After receiving the beam ready signal relayed by the accelerator control interface system (ACI);

[0084] If the treatment control system (TCS) schedules the signal to generate a beam, the dose control system (DCM) will generate a beam enable signal and send it to the accelerator control interface system (ACI). Upon receiving the beam enable signal, the ACI will forward it to the accelerator control system (ACS). Simultaneously, after receiving the normal beam output signal from the ACS, the ACI will send a beam enable feedback signal to the dose control system (DCM) to confirm that a beam has been generated.

[0085] The Accelerator Control System (ACS) returns the accelerator status to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), which then transmits the accelerator status signal back to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) via Ethernet.

[0086] It should be noted that the interface protocol and data exchanged between the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) and the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) mainly consider the following points:

[0087] 1) The beam scheduling system (BSS) and the accelerator control interface system (ACI) have a separate local network;

[0088] 2) Data exchange should ensure security, integrity, and timeliness;

[0089] 3) The Beam Scheduling System (BSS) is an independent system.

[0090] 4) The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system is an independent system for accelerator control.

[0091] The beam scheduling system (BSS) and the accelerator control interface system (ACI) communicate in the following manner:

[0092] 1) The Beam Scheduling System (BSS) and the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) are connected via a local area network;

[0093] 2) The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system provides a Socket-based TCP / IP service with full-duplex operation and long connections. The ACI starts the Socket server, and the BSS starts the client to connect to the ACI. The BSS and ACI send and receive messages to each other, and the specific command is determined by the message type.

[0094] 3) The data is in JSON format, and the character set is UTF-8;

[0095] 4) Data transmission uses network byte order (big-endian aligned);

[0096] 5) The message format is: JSON string (excluding carriage return) + carriage return; for example: { [key]:[value]}\r.

[0097] An independent local network is also used between ACS and ACI to ensure the security, integrity and timeliness of data interaction. The communication method is the same as that between BSS and ACI. This allows the current communication and interaction command information between BSS and ACI to be displayed on the ACS system without loss of quality for reference by accelerator operators.

[0098] Example 1

[0099] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the accelerator control interface system (ACI) for AB-BNCT provided in a preferred embodiment. The hardware design uses the HFBR1414 optoelectronic device on the optical transmitter board and the HFBR2412 optoelectronic device on the optical receiver board. The transmission distance can reach 2.7 km, the maximum signal rate is 160 Mbaud, and the typical wavelength is 820 nm. The optical transmitter and receiver devices are used in pairs, and multimode ST-ST optical fiber is used for optical signal transmission. The main control processor is a Xilinx Soc Zynq7045 processor, which integrates an FPGA and an ARM processor. The processor runs an embedded Linux operating system, and is equipped with dual Ethernet PHYs, level conversion chips, and memory chips, etc., to stably and reliably realize data processing and communication.

[0100] The Flash memory uses a QSPI interface, the memory uses eMMC (Embedded Multi MediaCard), the main memory uses DDR3, it uses an SD card, the serial communication uses RS232, and the debugging interface uses JTAG.

[0101] In summary, since the Treatment Control System (TCS) and the Accelerator Control System (ACS) are typically hundreds of meters apart, long-distance signal transmission via optical signals is crucial. Optical signals ensure signal quality and integrity, and their high transmission speed guarantees system response (<1µs). A dual-NIC isolation architecture effectively isolates the TCS and ACS networks, preventing network congestion and improving communication speed. Furthermore, the TCS must meet stringent medical device requirements, necessitating network isolation to prevent interference from external networks and ensure secure communication within the medical device system.

[0102] Implementation 2:

[0103] An ACI control method for an accelerator control interface system applied to AB-BNCT is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0104] Beam request and command generation phase:

[0105] The treatment control system (TCS) sends beam request / cancellation commands to the beam dispatching system (BSS);

[0106] The beam scheduling system BSS generates a switching command containing the target room identifier and sends it to the accelerator control interface system ACI, where non-treatment requests are identified as garbage targets.

[0107] The Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system transmits data from the target treatment room to the Accelerator Control System (ACS) via a photoelectric conversion module.

[0108] Beam path switching execution phase:

[0109] When the treatment room at the head of the line changes, the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) sends a beam transport line switching command to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), notifying the ACI of the target treatment room number. After receiving the switching command, the ACI sends a feedback command to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) and notifies the Accelerator Control System (ACS) to switch the beam transport line. After the ACI determines that the switching is complete, it sends the switching result to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS).

[0110] Simultaneously, the Accelerator Control Interface (ACI) system sends the corresponding target treatment room number to the Facility Interlock Control System (FICM). Upon receiving the room number from the ACI, the FICM sends the received room number back to the ACI. The ACI then uses the sent and returned room numbers to determine whether the FICM in the corresponding room can be successfully accessed. If the FICM does not receive the room number, it sends a stop-lay interlock signal to the Accelerator Control System (ACS).

[0111] In the dose control phase:

[0112] After receiving the beam ready signal forwarded by the accelerator control interface system (ACI) in the treatment control system (TCS);

[0113] If the treatment control system (TCS) scheduling command enables beam generation, the dose control system (DCM) generates a beam enable signal and sends it to the accelerator control interface system (ACI). Upon receiving the beam enable signal, the ACI forwards it to the accelerator control system (ACS). After receiving the beam enable signal from the ACI, the ACS issues a normal beam exit signal. Upon receiving the normal beam exit signal from the ACS, the ACI sends a beam enable feedback signal to the DCM to confirm that beam has been exited.

[0114] Accelerator status end-to-end synchronization phase:

[0115] Accelerator status query: The treatment control system TCS sends an accelerator status query message to the beam scheduling system BSS. The beam scheduling system BSS forwards the message to the accelerator control interface system ACI to obtain the real-time status. After receiving the accelerator status message from the accelerator control interface system ACI, it forwards the message back to the corresponding treatment control system TCS.

[0116] Accelerator status reporting: When the accelerator status is detected to have changed, the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) actively sends an accelerator status message to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS). After receiving the accelerator status message from the ACI, the BSS forwards it to all Treatment Control Systems (TCSs).

[0117] The software design process steps are as follows:

[0118] The basic control flow between the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) and the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) is mainly used for switching beam transport lines and accelerator status reporting. Switching beam transport lines refers to switching treatment room procedures.

[0119] 1) The beam transport line is switched to the target treatment room, and the specific procedure is shown in Figure 3:

[0120] Users submit beam request requests. Different treatment rooms correspond to individual Treatment Control Systems (TCS). Each TCS can send beam request / cancellation messages to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS). The BSS maintains a queue of treatment rooms. When the head of the queue changes, the BSS sends a beam transport line switching message to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI), informing the ACI of the target treatment room's room number. Upon receiving the switching message, the ACI sends a feedback message to the BSS and notifies the Accelerator Control System (ACS) to switch the transport line. After determining the switching is complete, the ACI sends a switching result notification message to the BSS. Simultaneously, the ACI is also responsible for notifying the FICM (Fixed Intensive Care Unit) of its current room number. Upon receiving the room number from the ACI, the FICM sends its received room number back to the ACI. The ACI then determines whether the corresponding FICM is successfully enabled based on the sent and received room numbers. If the FICM is successfully enabled, it sends a switching success signal. Each treatment room corresponds to a specific FICM. Any system that sends a command to the corresponding system will receive a response, ensuring normal communication.

[0121] 2) Switch the beam transport line to the garbage target. The specific process is shown in Figure 4:

[0122] When the Treatment Control System (TCS) requests to release accelerator resources and the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) has no treatment room request, the BSS notifies the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) via the same message (roomId filled with 0) to switch the beam transport line to the garbage target, ensuring that there will be no abnormal beam triggering in the treatment room when there is no beam request.

[0123] A beam dump is a device used to terminate a beam. It is typically made of high-density materials (such as copper blocks) and is used to absorb beam energy and shield radiation. The purpose of a beam dump is to protect equipment and personnel, preventing damage to the accelerator or other equipment from the beam.

[0124] The Accelerator Control System (ACS) returns the accelerator status to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) as an accelerator status signal, which is then transmitted back to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) via Ethernet. The ACS periodically sends accelerator status query messages to the BSS, or proactively sends accelerator status messages to the BSS when it detects a change in the accelerator status.

[0125] 3) Accelerator status query, the specific process is shown in Figure 5:

[0126] The Treatment Control System (TCS) can send accelerator status query messages to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS), which then forwards the messages to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI). Upon receiving the accelerator status message from the ACI, the ACI forwards a reply to the corresponding Treatment Control System (TCS).

[0127] 4) Accelerator status reporting, the specific process is shown in Figure 6:

[0128] When the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) detects a change in the accelerator status, it proactively sends an accelerator status message to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS). Upon receiving the accelerator status message from the ACI, the BSS forwards it to all Treatment Control Systems (TCSs).

[0129] 5) ACI and BSS communication command information reporting, the specific process is shown in Figure 7:

[0130] When the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) receives a command from the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) or responds to a corresponding command from the BSS, it will trigger the ACI to forward the corresponding command information to the Accelerator Control System (ACS). This enables the display of the current communication and interaction command information between the Beam Scheduling System (BSS) and the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) on the ACS system for reference by accelerator operators.

[0131] This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not applicable to this application. The description and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the appended claims.

[0132] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An accelerator control interface system (ACI) for AB-BNCT, comprising hardware and software, characterized in that, The hardware includes: an embedded control system platform architecture with a dual network card architecture. The first network card is used for data interaction with the treatment control system (TCS), receiving control commands from the TCS, and transmitting command responses and the current status information of the accelerator from the TCS. The second network card is used for data interaction with the accelerator control system (ACS), displaying the control information logs from the TCS received by the accelerator control interface system (ACI) on the ACS. Key control signals between the ACI, the TCS, and the ACS are transmitted via optical signals. The treatment control system (TCS)... S includes: a dose control system (DCM), a facility interlock control system (FICM), a dose verification system (DVM), and a beam scheduling system (BSS); the beam scheduling system (BSS) establishes a first communication link with the accelerator control interface system (ACI), and the accelerator control interface system (ACI) is connected to the facility interlock control system (FICM) and the dose control system (DCM) through a second communication link; the first communication link is an Ethernet-based communication channel between the beam scheduling system (BSS) and the accelerator control interface system (ACI); the second communication link is a hybrid communication channel established between the accelerator control interface system (ACI) and the facility interlock control system (FICM) and the dose control system (DCM) through a photoelectric conversion module.

2. The accelerator control interface system ACI applied to AB-BNCT according to claim 1, characterized in that, The embedded control system platform includes: a power supply module for providing a stable power supply to the entire device; a photoelectric conversion module for converting electrical signals and optical signals to each other; and a main control module for processing various control signals and data interaction.

3. The accelerator control interface system ACI applied to AB-BNCT according to claim 2, characterized in that, The photoelectric conversion module includes: a light transmitting plate and a light receiving plate; the light receiving plate is used to convert electrical signals into optical signals; the light transmitting plate is used to convert optical signals into electrical signals.

4. The accelerator control interface system ACI applied to AB-BNCT according to claim 3, characterized in that, The photoelectric conversion module is connected to the main control module via a level conversion chip, and the light receiving board and light transmitting board are connected to the main control module via level conversion chips respectively.

5. The accelerator control interface system ACI applied to AB-BNCT according to claim 1, characterized in that, The software is based on an embedded operating system and is designed using C language and Verilog hardware programming language. The communication process adopts a question-and-answer interactive mode. For changes in status signals, an active reporting strategy is adopted to collect the beam status of the accelerator control system ACS in real time and actively push it to the treatment control system TCS through optical signals.

6. A control method for an accelerator control interface system (ACI) applied to AB-BNCT, wherein the ACI is applied to the accelerator control interface system (ACI) of any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, include: Beam request and command generation phase: The treatment control system TCS sends a beam request or cancellation command to the beam scheduling system BSS; The Beam Scheduling System (BSS) generates a switching command containing the target treatment room identifier and the waste target, which is sent to the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI). When there is no treatment request, the identifier is a waste target. The ACI sends the target treatment room identifier to the Accelerator Control System (ACS) via a photoelectric conversion module. During the beam path switching execution phase: when the head treatment room changes, the BSS sends a beam transport line switching command to the ACI, notifying the ACI of the target treatment room number. Upon receiving the switching command, the ACI sends a feedback command to the BSS and notifies the ACS to switch the beam transport line. After determining that the switching is complete, the ACI sends the switching result back to the BSS. Simultaneously, the ACI provides the corresponding target treatment room number to the Facility Interlocking Control System (FICM). The FICM, upon receiving the room number from the ACI, sends the received room number back to the ACI.

7. The control method according to claim 6 further includes a dose control stage: after receiving a beam ready signal forwarded by the accelerator control interface system (ACI) in the treatment control system (TCS); if the TCS scheduling command enables beam generation, the dose control system (DCM) generates a beam enable signal and sends it to the accelerator control interface system (ACI). After receiving the beam enable signal, the accelerator control interface system (ACI) forwards it to the accelerator control system (ACS). After receiving the beam enable signal from the accelerator control interface system (ACI), the accelerator control system (ACS) issues a normal beam exit signal. After receiving the normal beam exit signal from the accelerator control system (ACS), the accelerator control interface system (ACI) sends a beam enable feedback signal to the dose control system (DCM) to confirm that beam has been exited.

8. The control method according to claim 6 further includes: Accelerator status end-to-end synchronization phase: Accelerator status query, the treatment control system TCS sends an accelerator status query message to the beam scheduling system BSS, the beam scheduling system BSS forwards the message to the accelerator control interface system ACI to obtain the real-time status, and after receiving the accelerator status message from the accelerator control interface system ACI, it forwards the reply to the corresponding treatment control system TCS. Accelerator status reporting: When the accelerator status is detected to have changed, the Accelerator Control Interface System (ACI) actively sends an accelerator status message to the Beam Scheduling System (BSS). After receiving the accelerator status message from the ACI, the BSS forwards it to all Treatment Control Systems (TCSs).

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