• M. E. Angoletta, A. Blas, A.C. Butterworth, A. Findlay, P.M. Leinonen, J.C. Molendijk, F. Pedersen, J. Sanchez-Quesada, M. Schokker
  CERN, Geneva

In 2008 a project was started to renovate the CERN's PS Booster (PSB) low-level RF (LLRF). Its aim is to equip all four PSB rings with modern LLRF systems by 2013 at the latest. Required capabilities for the new LLRF include frequency program, beam phase, radial and synchronization loops. The new LLRF will control the signals feeding the three RF cavities present in each ring; it will also shape the beam in a dual harmonic mode, operate a bunch splitting and create a longitudinal blow-up. The main benefits of this new LLRF are its full remote and cycle-to-cycle controllability, built-in observation capability and flexibility. The overall aim is to improve the robustness, maintainability and reliability of the PSB operation and to make it compatible with the injection from the future LINAC4. The chosen technology is an evolution of that successfully deployed in CERN's ion accumulator ring LEIR and it is based upon modular VME 64X hardware and extensive digital signal processing. This paper outlines the main characteristics of the software and hardware building blocks. Promising initial beam tests are shown and hints are included on the main milestones and future work.

• 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.