A compact low-level RF control system for advanced concept compact electron linear accelerator

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Engineering
• Accelerator Technology

Background:

• Linear accelerators (LINACs) require sophisticated low-level RF (LLRF) control systems.
• Existing LLRF systems often face challenges with size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP).
• The Advanced Concept Compact Electron Linear-accelerator (ACCEL) program has stringent SWaP and RF performance demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a compact LLRF control system for the ACCEL program.
• To leverage RF system-on-chip (RFSoC) technology for enhanced performance and reduced footprint.
• To validate the proposed control schemes and hardware prototype.

Main Methods:

• Employed RF system-on-chip (RFSoC) technology utilizing direct RF sampling.
• Eliminated analog mixers, unlike conventional heterodyne-based LLRF architectures.
• Developed a prototype LLRF platform and implemented control schemes tailored for ACCEL requirements.

Main Results:

• Achieved magnitude and phase fluctuations below 1% and 1°, respectively, on the RF pulse flattop.
• Demonstrated significant reduction in system size and weight compared to traditional LINAC LLRF systems.
• Successfully tested the prototype hardware with ACCEL's designed accelerating structure cavities.

Conclusions:

• The RFSoC-based compact LLRF system meets the challenging requirements of the ACCEL program.
• Direct RF sampling offers a viable solution for miniaturized and high-performance LLRF control.
• The developed prototype and control schemes are suitable for future compact linear accelerator applications.