Development of a prototype of the ME readout electronics onboard the HXMT satellite

A prototype of the ME readout electronics onboard the Hard X-ray Modulate Telescope (HXMT) satellite is developed. Application Specific Integrated Chip (ASIC) is used to construct the front end electronics due to a large number of detectors. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is connected to the ASIC as a state machine controller and data FIFO in the DAQ system. A USB board is designed to communicate between the DAQ system and the computer. The design goals and features, the operation of the system and the preliminary performance of the prototype are described. The testing results show that the design goals of the prototype system have been achieved.     

Thermal analysis and expected performance of the low energy instrument on board the HXMT satellite

The Low Energy X-ray Instrument （LE） of the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope （HXMT） uses the Swept Charge Device （SCD） to detect the X-rays in 1-15 keV. The performance of SCD is vulnerable to temperature. We analyzed the thermal condition of LE at different satellite working attitudes with the Finite Element Method （FEM）. It is shown that the angle between the sunlight and the normal line of the barrier should be less them 26°, to keep the SCD detectors working in the required temperature range, i.e. -40 ℃ to -80 ℃. We find that the performance of LE is very stable in this temperature range, with a typical energy resolution of 160 eV at 5.9 keV.     

Thermal analysis and expected performance of the low energy instrument on board the HXMT satellite

The Low Energy X-ray Instrument (LE) of the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) uses the Swept Charge Device (SCD) to detect the X-rays in 1-15 keV. The performance of SCD is vulnerable to temperature. We analyzed the thermal condition of LE at different satellite working attitudes with the Finite Element Method (FEM). It is shown that the angle between the sunlight and the normal line of the barrier should be less them 26°, to keep the SCD detectors working in the required temperature range, i.e. -40 ℃ to -80 ℃. We find that the performance of LE is very stable in this temperature range, with a typical energy resolution of 160 eV at 5.9 keV.     

The High Energy X-ray telescope (HE) onboard the Insight-HXMT astronomy satellite

The Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope(Insight-HXMT) is a broadband X-ray and γ-ray(1-3000 ke V) astronomy satellite. One of its three main telescopes is the High Energy X-ray telescope(HE). The main detector plane of HE comprises 18 Na I(Tl)/Cs I(Na) phoswich detectors, where Na I(Tl) is used as the primary detector to measure ~ 20-250 ke V photons incident from the field of view(FOV) defined by collimators, and Cs I(Na) is used as the active shielding detector to Na I(Tl) by pulse shape discrimination. Additionally, Cs I(Na) is used as an omnidirectional γ-ray monitor. The HE collimators have a diverse FOV,i.e. 1.1°×5.7°(15 units), 5.7°×5.7°(2 units), and blocked(1 unit). Therefore, the combined FOV of HE is approximately5.7°×5.7°. Each HE detector has a diameter of 190 mm resulting in a total geometrical area of approximately 5100 cm2, and the energy resolution is ~15% at 60 ke V. For each recorded X-ray event by HE, the timing accuracy is less than 10 μs and the deadtime is less than 10 μs. HE is used for observing spectra and temporal variability of X-ray sources in the 20-250 ke V band either by pointing observations for known sources or scanning observations to unveil new sources. Additionally, HE is used for monitoring the γ-ray burst in 0.2-3 Me V band. This paper not only presents the design and performance of HE instruments but also reports results of the on-ground calibration experiments.     

A study of the pointed observation methods and sensitivity of HXMT

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) is an X-ray astronomy satellite consisting of three slat-collimated instruments, the High Energy X-ray Instrument (HE), the Medium Energy X-ray Instrument (ME), and the Low Energy X-ray Instrument (LE). HXMT will carry out an all sky survey and make pointed observations in the 1-250 keV energy band. In order to get the source and background fluxes simultaneously in the pointed observations, two methods, i.e., the combined field of view (FOV) method and the off-axis pointing method are proposed in this paper. Comprehensive analyses of the sensitivities of the three instruments by using these two methods are presented, respectively. It is found that the off-axis pointing method has a higher sensitivity for HE and ME but a lower sensitivity for LE. Since the axes of the three instruments are aligned along the same direction, the off-axis pointing method is recommended as the main method in the pointed observation for HXMT; the combined FOV method can be used when LE is the most relevant instrument in order to satisfy the scientific objective of the observation.     

A study of the pointed observation methods and sensitivity of HXMT

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope （HXMT） is an X-ray astronomy satellite consisting of three slat-collimated instruments, the High Energy X-ray Instrument （HE）, the Medium Energy X-ray Instrument （ME）, and the Low Energy X-ray Instrument （LE）. HXMT will carry out an all sky survey and make pointed observations in the 1-250 keV energy band. In order to get the source and background fluxes simultaneously in the pointed observations, two methods, i.e., the combined field of view （FOV） method and the off-axis pointing method are proposed in this paper. Comprehensive analyses of the sensitivities of the three instruments by using these two methods are presented, respectively. It is found that the off-axis pointing method has a higher sensitivity for HE and ME but a lower sensitivity for LE. Since the axes of the three instruments are aligned along the same direction, the off-axis pointing method is recommended as the main method in the pointed observation for HXMT; the combined FOV method can be used when LE is the most relevant instrument in order to satisfy the scientific objective of the observation.     

CSNS多功能反射谱仪主探测器读出电子学系统研制

为满足中国散裂中子源（CSNS）多功能反射谱仪（MR）主探测器高气压³He多丝正比室探测器（MWPC）的需求,研制了专用的读出电子学系统。该系统主要由核心前放板和触发扇出板构成,其中以前放板为核心,采用了6块前放板实现探测器142路模拟信号的数字化,并通过判选机制甄别中子信息,将有效中子事例打包发送给后端,触发扇出板提供同一时刻到达的T0信号和触发信号,以确保数据的对齐。读出电子学系统分别在实验室和束流条件下,进行了相关指标测试,测试结果表明性能优于设计要求。目前MWPC探测器已经成功安装到MR谱仪现场,并且已经开始稳定运行。     

A prototype of trigger electronics for LAWCA experiment

The Large Area Water Cherenkov Array （LAWCA） experiment focuses on high energy gamma astronomy between 100 GeV and 30 TeV. Invoked by the idea of hardware triggerless structure, a prototype of LAWCA trigger electronics is implemented in one single VME-9U module which obtains all the data from the 100 Front End Electronic （FEE） endpoints. Since the trigger electronics accumulate all the information, the flexibility of trigger processing can be improved. Meanwhile, the dedicated hardware trigger signals which are fed back to front end are eliminated; this leads to a system with better simplicity and stability. To accommodate the 5.4 Gbps system average data rate, the fiber based high speed serial data transmission is adopted. Based on the logic design in one single FPGA device, real-time trigger processing is achieved; the reprogrammable feature of the FPGA device renders a reconfigurable structure of trigger electronics. Simulation and initial testing results indicate that the trigger electronics prototype functions well.     

Development of a multi-channel readout ASIC for a fast neutron spectrometer based on GEM-TPC

A multi-channel front-end ASIC has been developed for a fast neutron spectrometer based on Gas Electron Multiplier(GEM)-Time Projection Chamber(TPC). Charge Amplifier and Shaping Amplifier for GEM(CASAGEM) integrates 16+1 channels: 16 channels for anodes and 1 channel for cathode. The gain and the shaping time are adjustable from 2 to 40 mV/fC and from 20 to 80 ns, respectively. The prototype ASIC is fabricated in0.35 μm CMOS process. An evaluation Print Circuit Board(PCB) was also developed for chip tests. In total 20 chips have been tested. The integrated nonlinearity is less than 1%. The equivalent noise electrons is less than 2000 e when the input capacitor is 50 pF. The time jitter is less than 1 ns. The design and the test results are presented in the paper.     

Development of a multi-channel readout ASIC for a fast neutron spectrometer based on GEM-TPC

A multi-channel front-end ASIC has been developed for a fast neutron spectrometer based on Gas Electron Multiplier （GEM）-Time Projection Chamber （TPC）. Charge Amplifier and Shaping Amplifier for GEM （CASAGEM） integrates 16＋1 channels： 16 channels for anodes and 1 channel for cathode. The gain and the shaping time are adjustable from 2 to 40 mV/fC and from 20 to 80 ns, respectively. The prototype ASIC is fabricated in 0.35 μm CMOS process. An evaluation Print Circuit Board （PCB） was also developed for chip tests. In total 20 chips have been tested. The integrated nonlinearity is less than 1%. The equivalent noise electrons is less than 2000e when the input capacitor is 50 pF. The time jitter is less than 1 ns. The design and the test results are presented in the paper.     

Design of a high throughput electronics module for high energy physics experiments

High-energy physics experiments enable us to explore and understand particle properties and interactions.An increase in luminosity in the accelerator,which allows us to study particles in higher energy ranges,demands faster data transmission and processing.Aimed at this,a high throughput uTCA-compliant electronics module,based on the latest FPGAs,has been designed.It contains 48 10.0 Gb/s optical fiber input channels and 24 10.0Gb/s optical fiber output channels,supporting up to 480 Gb/s input bandwidth and 240 Gb/s output bandwidth.It complies with the uTCA standards,providing high speed data exchange capability and functioning as a compact and key module in a trigger and DAQ system for a large experiment.A reliable 10.0 Gb/s data transmission among two boards has been verified and one functionality that merges 6 1.6 Gb/s data channels into one single 10.0 Gb/s channel has been achieved.The hardware,firmware and software together with a performance evaluation are given in this paper.     

Design of the readout electronics for the DAMPE Silicon Tracker detector

The Silicon Tracker (STK) is one of the detectors of the DAMPE satellite used to measure the incidence direction of high energy cosmic rays. It consists of 6 X-Y double layers of silicon micro-strip detectors with 73728 readout channels. It is a great challenge to read out the channels and process the huge volume of data in the harsh environment of space. 1152 Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and 384 ADCs are used to read out the detector channels. 192 Tracker Front-end Hybrid (TFH) modules and 8 identical Tracker Readout Board (TRB) modules are designed to control and digitalize the front signals. In this paper, the design of the readout electronics for the STK and its performance are presented in detail.     

Proposal of the readout electronics for the WCDA in the LHAASO experiment

The LHAASO(Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory)experiment is proposed for a very high energy gamma ray source survey,in which the WCDA(Water Cherenkov Detector Array)is one of the major components.In the WCDA,a total of 3600 PMTs are placed under water in four ponds,each with a size of150 m×l50 m.Precise time and charge measurement is required for the PMT signals,over a large signal amplitude range from a single P.E.(photo electron)to 4000 P.E.To fulfill the high requirement of a signal measurement in so many front end nodes scattered in a large area,special techniques are developed,such as multiple gain readout,hybrid transmission of clocks,commands and data,precise clock phase alignment and new trigger electronics.We present the readout electronics architecture for the WCDA and several prototype modules,which are now being tested in the laboratory.     

Low temperature testing and neutron irradiation of a swept charge device on board the HXMT satellite

We present the low temperature testing of an SCD detector, investigating its performance such as readout noise, energy resolution at 5.9 keV and dark current. The SCD's performance is closely related to temperature, and the temperature range of -80 ℃ to -50 ℃ is the best choice, where the FWHM at 5.9 keV is about 130 eV. The influence of the neutron irradiation from an electrostatic accelerator with fluence up to 1×10⁹ cm^-2 has been examined. We find the SCD is not vulnerable to neutron irradiation. The detailed operations of the SCD and the test results of low temperature are reported, and the results of neutron irradiation are discussed.     

Proposal of the readout electronics for the WCDA in the LHAASO experiment

The LHAASO （Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory） experiment is proposed for a very high energy gamma ray source survey, in which the WCDA （Water Cherellkov Detector Array） is one of the major coinponents. In the WCDA, a total of 3600 PMTs are placed under water in four ponds, each with a size of 150m×150 m. Precise time and cimrge measurement is required for the PMT signals, over a large signal amplitude range from a single P.E. （photo electron） to 4000 P.E. To fulfill the high requirement of a signal measurement in so many front end nodes scattered in a large area, special techniques are developed, such as multiple gain readout, hybrid transmission of clocks, commands and data, precise clock phase alignment and new trigger electronics. We present the readout electronics architecture for the WCDA and several prototype modules, which are now being testedin the laboratory.     

Design and construction of a TPC prototype based on GEM detector readout

A time projection chamber (TPC) readout by gas electron multipliers (GEM) detector is a very promising candidate for the central tracking system of ILC (International Linear Collider). A prototype is designed and set up in our lab and introduced here. The tests during and after the assembly prove that the prototype TPC has been constructed successfully. It is ready for further study.     

基于GEM读出的TPC原型设计与建造

基于GEM探测器读出的TPC漂移室,具有非常多的优势,是ILC中央径迹探测器的首选方案之一。本文介绍了一个GEM－TPC原型机的设计。通过对该原型机进行的一系列测试,证明了该系统设计合理、搭建成功,已具备其基本功能,可以进行深入的测试研究。     

Status on the development of front-end and readout electronics for large silicon trackers

Final results on a CMOS 0.18 μm front-end chip for silicon strips readout are summarized and preliminary results on time measurement are discussed. The status of the next version in 0.13 μm is briefly presented.      

Prototype of readout electronics for the LHAASO KM2A electromagnetic particle detectors

The KM2A(one kilometer square extensive air shower array) is the largest detector array in the LHAASO(Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory) project. The KM2 A consists of 5242 EDs(Electromagnetic particle Detectors) and 1221 MDs(Muon Detectors). The EDs are distributed and exposed in the wild. Two channels, anode and dynode, are employed for the PMT(photomultiplier tube) signal readout. The readout electronics designed in this paper aims at accurate charge and arrival time measurement of the PMT signals, which cover a large amplitude range from 20 P.E.(photoelectrons) to 2×10~5 P.E. By using a "trigger-less" architecture, we digitize signals close to the PMTs. All digitized data is transmitted to DAQ(Data Acquisition) via a simplified White Rabbit protocol.Compared with traditional high energy experiments, high precision of time measurement over such a large area and suppression of temperature effects in the wild become the key techniques. Experiments show that the design has fulfilled the requirements in this project.     

Physical design and Monte Carlo simulations of a space radiation detector onboard the SJ-10 satellite

A radiation gene box (RGB) onboard the SJ-10 satellite is a device carrying mice and drosophila cells to determine the biological effects of space radiation environment. The shielded fluxes of different radioactive sources were calculated and the linear energy transfers of γ-rays, electrons, protons and α-particles in the tissue were acquired using A-150 tissue-equivalent plastic. Then, a conceptual model of a space radiation instrument employing three semiconductor sub-detectors for deriving the charged and uncharged radiation environment of the RGB was designed. The energy depositions in the three sub-detectors were classified into 15 channels (bins) in an algorithm derived from the Monte Carlo method. The physical feasibility of the conceptual instrument was also verified by Monte Carlo simulations.