New generation electronics applied to beam position monitors

Cellular telephones and global positioning system (GPS) satellite receivers are examples of modern rf engineering. Taking some inspiration from those designs, a precision signal-processor module for beam position monitors was developed. It features a heterodyne receiver (100 MHz to 1 GHz) with more than 90 dB dynamic range. Four multiplexed input channels are able to resolve signal differences lower than 0.0005 dB with good long-term stability. This corresponds to sub-micron resolution when used with a beam position pick-up with 40 mm free aperture. The paper concentrates on circuit design and modem dynamic testing methods, used first during development and later for production tests. The frequency synthesizer of the local oscillator, the phase-locked synchronous detector, and the low-noise preamplifier with automatic gain control are discussed. Other topics are design for immunity to electromagnetic interference to ensure reliable operation in an accelerator environment.