RF Frontend for Automated Crosstalk Reduction System

Crosstalks are one of the limitations of multichannel RF systems. An example of such is the Cavity Simulator project designed by the Institute of Electronic Systems to test the Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) control system in the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund. One of the parts of this device is 7 RF outputs that interfere with each other, resulting in a limited dynamic range.To resolve the issue of crosstalk, a solution, where a pre-distortion signal is added to all channels, was proposed. The concept was tested, but the calibration process required manual reconnecting of RF cables and took a significant amount of time. A solution with automated signal switching was proposed to resolve this issue. It is based on an additional module that is integrated within the Cavity Simulator hardware.This paper presents the RF frontend foreseen to be used in the Cavity Simulator’s automated crosstalk correction system. The overall system concept and the detailed design of the crosstalk correction module are shown.