• M. Wilinski, W.C. Dawson, C. Degen, A. Marusic, K. Mernick, M.G. Minty, T. Russo
  BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York

Throughout RHIC Run-9 (polarized protons) and Run-10 (gold), numerous modifications to the Baseband Tune (BBQ) system were made. Hardware and software improvements resulted in improved resolution and control, allowing the system to overcome challenges from competing 60 Hz mains harmonics, other spectral content, and other beam issues. Test points from the Analog Front End (AFE) were added and connected to diagnostics that allow us to view signals, such as frequency spectra on a Sr785 dynamic signal analyzer, in real time. Also, additional data can now be logged using a National Instruments DAQ. Development time using tune feedback to obtain full-energy beams at RHIC has been significantly reduced from many ramps over a few weeks, to just a few ramps over several hours. For many years BBQ was an expert-only system, but the many improvements allowed BBQ to finally be handed over to the Operations Staff for routine control.

• V. Ptitsyn, A. Marusic, R.J. Michnoff, M.G. Minty, G. Robert-Demolaize, T. Satogata
  BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York

Slow variations of the RHIC closed orbit have been strongly influenced by diurnal variations. These variations affect the reproducibility of RHIC operation and might have contributed to proton beam polarization degradation during past polarized proton runs. We have developed and commissioned a slow orbit feedback system in RHIC Run-10 to diminish these variations and improve energy ramp commissioning and tuning efficiency. This orbit feedback uses multiple dipole correctors and orbit data from an existing beam position monitor system. The precision of the orbit feedback system has resulted directly from application of an improved algorithm for measurement of the average orbit, from improved survey offsets and various measures taken to ensure deterministic delivery of the BPM data. Closed orbit corrections are calculated with an online model-based SVD algorithm, and applied by a control loop operating at up to 1 Hz rate. We report on the feedback design and implementation, and commissioning and operational experience in RHIC Run-10.