With a change in the LHC machine optics foreseen for 2025 and the possible reduction of beta-star, optics commissioning will become even more of a challenge for the CERN Optics Measurement and Correction (OMC) team. In particular, the increased sensitivity of the optics to non-linear imperfections, requiring a plethora of accurate measurements, is expected to be a time consuming task. In preparation, continuous effort has been undertaken to develop new correction strategies and convert them into ready-to-use algorithms, allowing the automation of repetitive tasks while keeping the python-base software tools up-to-date. In this paper the status of these tools is summarized with highlights and improvements underlined. These tools are now widely used beyond the LHC in the entire CERN accelerator complex, as well as in Super-KEKB and for Future Circular Collider studies, and could be of great interest to correct and improve the optics in other machines.

The ongoing upgrades to CERN power converters pose new challenges to the converter control hardware that require a next-generation embedded control computer: the Function Generator/Controller 4 (FGC4), currently in development. The hardware is based on an AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC System-on-Chip (SoC), featuring a quad-core A53 ARM-architecture CPU, with one bare-metal core dedicated to the voltage source control. To fulfil the goal of high-reliability control in this integrated environment, a C++20 library to run on bare-metal, called VSlib (Voltage Source library) has been developed. The library is a toolkit providing all the necessary building blocks for regulation algorithms, as well as communication with other bare-metal and Linux-running cores of the SoC. A dedicated GUI was created to facilitate configuration of library parameters. The main focus was placed on high performance, determinism, and reliability. The library was developed according to best industrial practices, including version control, static analysis, and automated unit testing, with tests against expert models using Hardware-in-a-Loop simulator of a power converter, and continuous deployment.

At our institute, we needed a scalable SCADA system for both FRANZ and smaller laboratory test setups. Given the heterogeneity of devices, the system had to be easily extendable to support custom-built hardware, self-made devices, and standard PLC systems. Additional requirements included low maintenance, minimal system demands, and compatibility with various IT environments, operating systems, and hardware architectures. To meet these needs, we developed a ZeroMQ pub/sub pattern-based system in Java, which can function as a standalone instance or as a distributed mesh network across multiple systems. A modular device driver design simplifies the integration of devices with existing control software components. A universal XML-based driver enables device communication descriptions without the need for programming or recompilation. To minimize system resource demands, a Swing-based GUI was incorporated. This GUI is configurable via XML files, providing user flexibility and reducing the programming effort required for standard or predefined elements.