The Control System of the Elliptical Cavity and Cryomodule Test Stand Demonstrator for ESS

TL;DR

This paper details the development of a control system for cryogenic and RF testing of cryomodules at ESS, utilizing commercial off-the-shelf components for precise regulation and tuning.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive control system architecture integrating PLCs, EtherCAT modules, and fast acquisition cards for cryogenic and RF processes in cryomodule testing.

Findings

Successful testing of two medium beta cryomodules.

Implementation of a control system using COTS solutions.

Enhanced precision in cryogenic and RF regulation.

Abstract

CEA IRFU Saclay is taking part of ESS (European Spallation Source) construction through several packages and, especially in the last three years on the Elliptical Cavity and Cryomodule Test stand Demonstrator (ECCTD). The project consists of RF test, conditioning, cryogenic cool-down and regulations of eight cryomodules with theirs four cavities each. For now, two medium beta cavities cryomodules have been successfully tested. This paper describes the context and the realization of the control system for cryogenic and RF processes, added to cavities tuning motorization relying on COTS solutions: Siemens PLC, EtherCAT Beckhoff modules, IOxOS fast acquisition cards and MRF timing cards.