The SPS as LHC injector

During a recent long shutdown, major modifications to the SPS have been made to prepare it for its role as LHC injector. The changes cover most of the accelerator systems including transfer and injection, RF, extraction, magnets, power converters and beam instrumentation. In addition, an ambitious programme to reduce the longitudinal impedance has been undertaken. As well as removing equipment no longer needed for operation, a total of over 1000 inter-magnet RF shields have been installed, involving the removal of over half of the main dipole magnets and most of the short straight sections in the machine. The various upgrades to the machine components will be detailed together with the studies that will be used to check the performance of the machine during operation this year. The remaining activities over the coming years, associated with the upgrade of the SPS as LHC injector, will be outlined.