Adrian Byszuk

FPGA based charge fast histogramming for GEM detector

This article presents a fast charge histogramming method for the position sensitive X-ray GEM detector. The energy resolved measurements are carried out simultaneously for 256 channels of the GEM detector. The whole process of histogramming is performed in 21 FPGA chips (Spartan-6 series from Xilinx) . The results of the histogramming process are stored in an external DDR3 memory. The structure of an electronic measuring equipment and a firmware functionality implemented in the FPGAs is described. Examples of test measurements are presented.

Versatile prototyping platform for Data Processing Boards for CBM experiment

The CBM experiment is one of the experiments prepared at the FAIR Facility in Darmstadt. The Data Processing Boards (DPB) are an important component of the CBM readout chain. Before the final, production versions of DPB may be designed, it is important to create a prototyping platform, to test and select appropriate hardware and firmware solutions. The Kintex based AMC FMC Carrier (AFCK) board is a versatile and open solution fulfilling those requirements, offering configurable high-speed (up to 10 Gbps) connectivity. The paper describes the AFCK hardware, the firmware architecture, and the IP cores developed for different DPB prototyping tasks. Due to its versatility and openness the AFCK may be reused in other experiments.

Serial data acquisition for GEM-2D detector

This article debates about data fast acquisition and histogramming method for the X-ray GEM detector. The whole process of histogramming is performed by FPGA chips (Spartan-6 series from Xilinx). The results of the histogramming process are stored in an internal FPGA memory and then sent to PC. In PC data is merged and processed by MATLAB. The structure of firmware functionality implemented in the FPGAs is described. Examples of test measurements and results are presented.

Diagnostic-management system and test pulse acquisition for WEST plasma measurement system

This paper describes current status of electronics, firmware and software development for new plasma measurement system for use in WEST facility. The system allows to perform two dimensional plasma visualization (in time) with spectrum measurement. The analog front-end is connected to Gas Electron Multiplier detector (GEM detector). The system architecture have high data throughput due to use of PCI-Express interface, Gigabit Transceivers and sampling frequency of ADC integrated circuits. The hardware is based on several years of experience in building X-ray spectrometer system for Joint European Torus (JET) facility. Data streaming is done using Artix7 FPGA devices. The system in basic configuration can work with up to 256 channels, while the maximum number of measurement channels is 2048. Advanced firmware for the FPGA is required in order to perform high speed data streaming and analog signal sampling. Diagnostic system management has been developed in order to configure measurement system, perform necessary calibration and prepare hardware for data acquisition.

Fast modular data acquisition system for GEM-2D detector

A novel approach to two dimensional Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector readout is presented. Unlike commonly used methods, based on discriminators and analogue FIFOs, the method developed uses simulta- neously sampling high speed ADCs with fast hybrid integrator and advanced FPGA-based processing logic to estimate the energy of every single photon. Such a method is applied to every GEM strip / pixel signal. It is especially useful in case of crystal-based spectrometers for soft X-rays, 2D imaging for plasma tomography and all these applications where energy resolution of every single photon is required. For the purpose of the detector readout, a novel, highly modular and extendable conception of the measurement platform was developed. It is evolution of already deployed measurement system for JET Spectrometer.

Fast data transmission from serial data acquisition for the GEM detector system

This article proposes new method of storing data and transferring it to PC in the X-ray GEM detector system. The whole process is performed by FPGA chips (Spartan-6 series from Xilinx). Comparing to previous methods, new approach allows to store much more data in the system. New, improved implementation of the communication algorithm significantly increases transfer rate between system and PC. In PC data is merged and processed by MATLAB. The structure of firmware implemented in the FPGAs is described.

GBT based readout in the CBM experiment

The CBM experiment at FAIR will use GBTX and Versatile Link based readout systems for several of its subdetectors. The paper describes the GBT based readout concept in CBM, emphasizing the common features among systems. Particular choices and features of the readout are motivated mainly by the requirements in the readout of the silicon tracking system (STS). Common developments like a common CBM readout board are presented. The prototype board provides full GBT functionality for all systems, can be interfaced to various prototype readout chains and be refined for later detector specific versions.

Design of versatile ASIC and protocol tester for CBM readout system

Silicon Tracking System (STS), Muon Chamber (MUCH) and Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) subdetectors in the Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) detector system at Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) use the same innovative protocol ensuring reliable synchronization of the communication link between the controller and the front-end ASIC, transmission of time-deterministic commands to the ASIC and efficient readout of data. The paper describes the FPGA-based tester platform which can be used both for the verification of the protocol implementation in a front-end ASIC at the design stage, and for testing of the produced ASICs. Due to its modularity, the platform can be easily adapted for different integrated circuits and readout systems.

FPGA based charge acquisition algorithm for soft x-ray diagnostics system

Soft X-ray (SXR) measurement systems working in tokamaks or with laser generated plasma can expect high photon fluxes. Therefore it is necessary to focus on data processing algorithms to have the best possible efficiency in term of processed photon events per second. This paper refers to recently designed algorithm and data-flow for implementation of charge data acquisition in FPGA. The algorithms are currently on implementation stage for the soft X-ray diagnostics system. In this paper despite of the charge processing algorithm is also described general firmware overview, data storage methods and other key components of the measurement system. The simulation section presents algorithm performance and expected maximum photon rate.

Fast data acquisition measurement system for plasma diagnostics using GEM detectors

This paper refers to measurement system for plasma diagnostics for tokamaks currently being developed. For the most of the GEM detector readout structures, large number of input channels is required to form a working measurement system. This constraint is especially important for two-dimensional GEM readout structures. Presented measurement system layout is a general model for further implementation. The system is based on fast serial gigabit links and PCI-Express interface for communication. The system can support up to 512 measurement channels, per each PCI-Express x16 slot. The system consists of several modules – PCI-Express 8-to-1 switch, Analog Front End, ADC Front End, and FPGA backplane boards. Implemented data processing algorithms enable fast raw data acquisition and real-time processing. The integration algorithms allow measurement system to cooperate with GEM detector working at high rates.