The UNICORN project : a major milestone completed

In late March, nearly a month ahead of schedule, the UNICORN project reached a major milestone with the completion of the final qualification review for the UNICORN non-digital control and command platform.

This review concluded the qualification testing phase, which involved more than 10 people and 5 laboratories over a 14-month period. It validated all electronic modules as well as the tools developed over the past 7 years of the project.

Learn more about the UNICORN project:
The UNICORN (Universal I&C platfORm for Nuclear) project, underway at TechnicAtome since July 2011, involves developing a new non-digital electronic control and instrumentation platform based on analog technology, designed for EPR reactors. This new platform comprises approximately 20 electronic modules, testing and validation tools, and a design and simulation workshop.

The key players in the UNICORN project are EDF, Nuclear New Builds (NNB)—an EDF subsidiary responsible for building and operating EPR reactors in the United Kingdom—Framatome, TechnicAtome, and ARCYS. EDF and NNB entrusted the UNICORN project to Framatome, which delegated the design, development, and qualification of the platform to TechnicAtome. ARCYS and EOLANE are responsible for developing the safety-critical electronic modules. TechnicAtome is responsible for the design, oversight of module production, development of test and design equipment, and overall qualification.