A new approach in simulating RF linacs using a general, real-time signal processor

Strict requirements on the tolerances of the amplitude and phase of the radio frequency (RF) cavity field have recently been necessary to advance the field of accelerator technology. Due to these stringent requirements of modern accelerators a new approach of modeling and simulating is essential in developing and understanding their characteristics. This paper describes the implementation of a general, linear model of an RF cavity which is used to develop a real-time signal processor. This device fully emulates the response of an RF cavity upon receiving characteristic parameters (Q0, ω0, δω, RS, ζ0). Simulating an RF cavity with real-time signal processor is beneficial to accelerator designers because the device allows one to answer fundamental questions on the response of the cavity to a particular stimulus without running the accelerator. In particular, the complex interactions between the RF power and the control systems, the beam and cavity fields can simply be observed in a real-time domain. The signal processor can also be used upon initialization of the accelerator as a diagnostic device and as a dummy load for determining the closed loop error of the system. In essence, the signal processor is capable of determining whether the control systems and peripheral devices are operating properly without going through the tedious procedure of running beam through a cavity