ALS Beamline Controls connects users and beamline scientists to experimental systems through continuously evolving methodologies. With the wide range of experiments and system configurations at ALS beamlines, developing unified, user-friendly control systems has been a hallmark of our approach—one consistently praised by our users.
Now, rapid advances in data acquisition and analysis demand a new direction in our control-system architectures. Exponential increases in data rates, growing automation needs, and the integration of machine learning for data analysis and system feedback are reshaping requirements and expectations. As datasets grow larger and computation moves to high-performance platforms, advanced visualization and analysis tools must be remotely accessible. At the same time, all systems must be secure and adhere to established communication best practices.
To address these challenges, we are collaborating with peer laboratories to develop and deploy next-generation control and data-analysis architectures based on emerging synchrotron standards. To ensure a smooth transition, these new systems are first implemented in localized experiments and on new tools serving as test cases. A central motivation of our efforts is achieving tighter integration between controls and computing—enabling real-time, flexible data analysis that enhances scientific productivity.
