An RF Signal Processing Module for the SPS Orbit Observation System Upgrade

CERN will replace the 200 MHz electronic calibrator and filter modules used in the SPS Orbit Observation System as part of an ongoing upgrade. TRIUMF is designing the new modules and will supervise the manufacture of 300 modules as part of Canada's contribution to the LHC. Six prototype modules were also provided for additional diagnostics with injected long ion bunches in Fall 1996. The SPS accelerated fully stripped Pb ions and the modules operated at 47.5 MHz, the fifth harmonic of the bunch spacing. The beam position was measured during the first few turns following injection before the beam was captured by the 200 MHz RF. The modules process the RF sum and difference signals from the beam position monitors. They allow for compensation of phase drift in the cables from the monitors, provide for calibration of the electronics system and house pairs of bandpass filters.