• M. E. Angoletta, J. Bento, A. Blas, E. Bracke, A.C. Butterworth, F. Dubouchet, A. Findlay, F. Pedersen, J. Sanchez-Quesada
  CERN, Geneva

The Low Energy Ion Ring (LEIR) is an accumulation ring in the Large Hadron Collider ion injector chain. After its successful start in 2005, it has been running in three operational campaigns. The LEIR LLRF system is the first all-digital low-level RF (LLRF) system to be made operational in a CERN circular machine. Composed of modular VME 64X hardware, it carries out extensive digital signal processing via Field Programmable Gate Arrays and Digital Signal Processors. System capabilities include beam control tasks, such as frequency program, beam phase, radial and synchronization loops, as well as cavity voltage/phase loops. All the system's control parameters are fully configurable, remotely and in-between cycles; extensive built-in diagnostics and signal observation features are available. The system has proven to be not only flexible and powerful but also extremely reliable. This is very important as the LEIR LLRF system is the pilot project for the LLRF renovation of other CERN's machines. This paper gives an overview of the main system building blocks and outlines their capabilities and operational features, along with results obtained during the first years of beam operation.