High-speed data processing module for LLRF

The linear accelerators, like Free-electron LAser in Hamburg (FLASH) or the European X-Ray Free Electron Laser (E-XFEL) take advantage of digital Low Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) system to control the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic field inside superconducting cavities. The real-time control LLRF system, processing data within a few micro seconds, must fulfil the performance requirements and provide monitoring and diagnostics. The AMC-based Controller (DAMC-TCK7) board was developed as a general purpose high-performance low-latency data processing unit designed according to the PICMG MTCA.4 spec. The module provides processing power, data memory, communication links, reference clock, trigger and interlock signals that are required in modern LLRF control systems. The module was originally designed as a Low Level Radio Frequency cavity field stabilizing controller for standing-wave linear accelerators. However, the application of the board is much wider, it is general purpose data processing module suitable for systems requiring low latency and high speed digital signal processing. This paper discusses the requirements for the digital real-time data processing module and presents the laboratory performance evaluation.