High Speed Digital Processing Electronics

In order to advance basic research in Nuclear Physics, development is needed of high speed digital processing electronics that improve the effective number of bits to 16 at sampling rates of > 4 GHz and a bandwidth > 2 GHz, with minimal integral non-linearity, and minimal, or at least repeatable differential non-linearity. Such devices should have at a minimum 64 channels with fast timing (< 10 ps). If deployed where radiation levels are high, then they must be rad-hard (tolerate 10 Mrad with 1015 n/cm2). Emphasis should be on low power dissipation and low cost per channel. We are proposing development of very high speed digital electronics sampling input signals at up to 6 gigasamples per second (GSPS) with up to 16 significant bits (ENOB). The sampling frequency will be adjustable at run time from 1 to 6 GSPS. We will thoroughly test the performance of a dedicated ASIC selected to address the stated problem. We will develop the firmware and software and investigate the resolution, nonlinearities, and timing synchronization to required precision. Future applications will include nuclear physics, high energy physics, nuclear astrophysics, homeland security, and education. Public will benefit from our electronics helping fundamental research conducted at the National Laboratories and research institutions.