Design and prototyping of SiPM electronics

This page is a work in progress. More information will be added as the project progresses.

Internal Links

Analog amplifier

• SiPM Amplifier - analog amplifier circuit supplied by Photonique for use with the SiPMs.
• MATLAB amplifier in detail - more information regarding the implementation of the MATLAB-based simulation of the amplifier circuit.

Digital control

• SiPM digital control board - digital PCB for controlling the SiPMs.

Programming our FPGA

• Programming the FPGA - central page for programming the FPGA.
  • Programming the DAC - discussion of the design for the DAC.
  • Programming the SPI - discussion of the new hybrid module that controls both the ADC and the temperature sensor over a single SPI bus.
    • Programming the temperature sensor - discussion of the design for the temperature sensor.
    • Programming the ADC - discussion of the design for the ADC.
  • Programming the Ethernet controller - discussion of the design for the Ethernet controller.
    • Ethernet packets - a detail of the packets we intend to use on our network.
  • Reset and Initialization - discussion of the design for the reset and initialization core.

VHDL in general

• VHDL tutorial - a brief guide to VHDL design with a design example; the introduction and core of the tutorial.
  • VHDL: Where to start - section one of the tutorial, focusing on preparing your design for coding.
  • VHDL: Enter the code monkey - section two of the tutorial, focusing on outlining the framework of your code.
  • VHDL: The real code - section three of the tutorial, focusing on coding the body of your design.
  • VHDL: Xilinx ISE - section four of the tutorial, focusing on using the development environment.

To-do list

• Upload ADC module block diagrams
• Combine ADC & temperature sensor into single "SPI" module

Ethernet module

• Complete Ethernet controller module
  • Registers
  • Idler
  • Reader
  • Querier
  • Programmer
  • Transmitter
  • Transceiver, extra debugging quasi-emulators in progress
  • Reset module
    • Check all modules for proper async reset support
    • Execute on startup
    • Execute on command
    • Soft reset - load and report MAC and location addresses.

• Integrate all modules and simulate the device as a whole
• Determine size of FPGA
• Design or purchase connector to bus board
• Purchase all components (including EEPROM, RJ-45 female jack, etc)
• Obtain footprints of all chips, connectors, jacks, etc
• PCB layout
• Prototype PCB
• Design bus board
• Design analog board