Design of the CiADS timing and fast protection system

Abstract

The China Initiative Accelerator Driven System (CiADS), currently under construction in Huizhou, represents the world’s first megawatt-scale Accelerator-Driven System (ADS) facility, designed to address the critical challenge of nuclear waste management through the transmutation of long-lived radioactive isotopes. The CiADS features a $1.5\text{GeV}$ superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) linear accelerator (LINAC) that must deliver proton beams to five distinct terminals, including a $7.5\text{MW}$ fast reactor and isotope production targets, via dynamic time-sharing. This operational requirement requires a highly reliable timing and fast protection system capable of achieving efficient acceleration of the beam energy and ensuring a machine protection latency of less than $10\mu \text{s}$. This paper presents the design of the CiADS Timing and Fast Protection System, highlighting its innovative architecture to overcome the limitations of conventional accelerator timing systems. Drawing on advancements in White Rabbit network technology and machine protection system design, the proposed system integrates sub-nanosecond time synchronization, deterministic network reliability, and automated beam recovery mechanisms. The design leverages insights from global projects such as FAIR, HIAF, and SHINE, as well as theoretical and practical studies on White Rabbit networks, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the CiADS facility. This work underscores the critical role of advanced timing and protection systems in enabling the next generation of high-power proton accelerators for sustainable nuclear energy development.