All digital IQ servo-system for CERN linacs

A new VME based system has been developed and built at CERN for the servo loops regulating the field in the linac accelerating structure. It makes use of high speed digital IQ detection, digital processing, and digital IQ modulation. The digital processing and IQ modulation is done in a single PLD. The system incorporates continually variable set points, iterative learning, feed forward as well as extensive diagnostics and other features well suited for digital implementations. Built on a single VME card, it will be first used in the energy ramping RF chain of the CERN heavy ion linac (linac 3) and later for upgrading the present proton linac (linac 2). This system serves also as a prototype for the future superconducting proton linac (SPL). The design principle and the experimental results are described.