A compact system for high precision time measurements ( < 14 ps RMS) and integrated data acquisition for a large number of channels

Abstract

A high precision ( < 14 ps RMS time resolution) and high channel density ( ∼ 256 channels) Time to Digital Converter (TDC) module (realized in FPGAs) with integrated DAQ is presented. The data is transported over up to 8 Gigabit-Ethernet or optical links with up to 3 Gb/s. Slow-Control information is transported over the same links. It can be attached directly to the detector, which allows the elimination of long cables and crate systems. The full 256 channel TDCs are expected to use approximately 30 W electrical power. The module size is 20 cm by 23 cm. Power is provided by a galvanically isolated 48 V low noise power supply. AddOn-boards adapt to the special needs of the detector to be read out, e.g. containing Charge to Width (Q2W) FEE for PMT readout.