LLRF Workshop (Oct 12 – Oct 16)
N.A.T. presents MicroTCA based solution for Low Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) control systems for Big Science at the 2025 LLRF Workshop at Jefferson Lab
Bonn/Germany, 24 Septembert 2025 - At the 2025 Low Level Radio Frequency Workshop, Newport News VA, N.A.T. is presenting its MicroTCA based solution for LLRF control systems for Big Science.
MicroTCA is an open industrial standard supported by a large and international eco system. MicroTCA is heavily used by the high-energy and particle physics community. Many low-level radio frequency (LLRF) control systems of international particle accelerators are based on this technology.
Being supplied with longevity guarantees for 15 years and more the modular amd extendable open standard has currently been updated to support 100GbE and PCIexpress gen5 board-to-board speeds.
By its sub-specification MTCA.4, MicroTCA is the only open standard allowing two backplanes in one system. The ability to house both low-noise analogue and digital connections in one create allow customers to reduce space and costs and build efficient systems.
The built-in system management allows remote management of all compenents, i.e. temperature, voltages, currents and other parameters.
Because of its technical features
- high bandwidth in single or dual star topology
- redundant and fail-safe including hot-swap and hot-plug
- precision timing including IEEE1588 and GPS
- low-latency connections for trigger and timing
- low-latency connections for FPGA-to-FPGA communication
- rear-transition modules with optional interconnects by LLRF backplane
- optical or copper system uplinks for broadband Ethernet and PCIexpress
MicroTCA has been the platform choice to build control systems for Big Science appliances such as particle accelerators etc.
At our booth we are showcasing the most recent and fully MicroTCA compliant system in a live demo.
The demonstration visualizes the capabilities of simultaneous data communication through direct point-to-point and switched links.
In addition to the demo we show some selected key components, such as the LLRF backplane, high-end FPGA cards, i.e. NAT-AMC-ZYNQUP-ADV, AC and DC power modules and of course the newest family of generation 4 NAT-MCHs.
Come and see us at the 2025 Low Level Radio Frequency Workshop held at the Marriott at City Center & Jefferson Lab in Newport News,.
