Timing system based on customized frequency White Rabbit network in SHINE

Abstract

Abstract Shanghai HIgh repetition rate XFEL aNd Extreme light facility (SHINE) is China's first hard X-ray FEL light source, which is expected to provide cutting-edge research methods for scientific research. To achieve the design target of SHINE, a high-precision timing system synchronized with the RF synchronization system of the accelerator is required, which could provide trigger signals and bunch ID for equipment on the accelerator, beamlines, and experimental stations so that those devices can be triggered in the correct sequence. This paper proposes a timing system based on WR technology that uses the RF signal from the synchronization system of SHINE as a reference and realizes the broadcasting of RF synchronization clock, including frequency and timescale, through an optical fiber network, achieving a timing accuracy of 8 picoseconds in the four-level network. Two enhanced timing applications, including the machine clock fanout and the random-event trigger distribution, are developed based on the RF timing benchmark. The scheme provides high-precision distribution of RF timing signal and general hardware interface, which can simplify the network structure and is expected to be extended to other large-scale physical accelerator facilities.