Development of algorithms for the end-end system simulation and performance analysis for a high-frequency magnetic diagnostic system: Application to ITER, JET and TCV

•Innovative and very detailed end-to-end system modelling tool developed and applied to test on simulated data the actual measurement capabilities of any generic high frequency (HF) magnetic diagnostic systems.•Algorithm applied to ITER HF magnetic diagnostic systems providing specific confidence levels and error bounds for detecting the modes highlighted in the ITER measurement specifications.•Algorithm also been applied to the TCV and JET HF magnetic diagnostics, providing further constraints on the results obtained with these systems.•Grounding loops, frequency-dependant noise and calibration errors significantly affect the measurement performance of HF magnetic diagnostics.