Integration and testing of a digital transceiver for a dual frequency, pulse-doppler radar

This dissertation focuses on the development of a digital transceiver system for a dual-band, polarimetric radar, which is to form part of the NeXtRAD multistatic radar. NeXtRAD is being developed as an instrument for research into the behaviour of clutter and targets as observed by multistatic radars. The Pentek Cobalt model 71621 software defined radio interface was procured for use as the digital transceiver in the system. The goal was to develop the software needed to use this product as the digital transceiver in a prototype version of the NeXtRAD active node, and to ensure that it could be readily integrated with other subsystems in the final system. The active node is essentially a monostatic pulse-doppler radar. Laboratory tests of the transceiver showed that it was possible to generate and digitize pulsed waveforms at a 125 MHz intermediate frequency which is used by the existing receiver exciter in the system. After extensive laboratory testing and development, phase coherent waveform generation and multichannel digitization was achieved. A low transmit power version of the active node was constructed and tested at both operating frequencies. Equipment used in the testing and development of the digital transceiver included laboratory signal generators, spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes. The digital transceiver was able to function at pulse repetition rates exceeding 2 kHz, with a single transmit channel and three receive channels active. The lowpowered monostatic prototype system was constructed to test the digital transceiver using a receiver exciter subsystem, RF amplifiers and antennas. This prototype radar was used to take measurements of targets at ranges below 300 m and successfully detected reflections from large structures. Cars and pedestrian traffic were detected by their doppler shifts at both L- and X-band frequencies. The detection of moving and stationary targets confirmed the suitability of the digital transceiver for use in the envisioned multistatic radar system

A study and experiment plan for digital mobile communication via satellite

The viability of mobile communications is examined within the context of a frequency division multiple access, single channel per carrier satellite system emphasizing digital techniques to serve a large population of users. The intent is to provide the mobile users with a grade of service consistant with the requirements for remote, rural (perhaps emergency) voice communications, but which approaches toll quality speech. A traffic model is derived on which to base the determination of the required maximum number of satellite channels to provide the anticipated level of service. Various voice digitalization and digital modulation schemes are reviewed along with a general link analysis of the mobile system. Demand assignment multiple access considerations and analysis tradeoffs are presented. Finally, a completed configuration is described

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Instrumentation and Online Systems

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a cubic-kilometer-scale high-energy neutrino detector built into the ice at the South Pole. Construction of IceCube, the largest neutrino detector built to date, was completed in 2011 and enabled the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. We describe here the design, production, and calibration of the IceCube digital optical module (DOM), the cable systems, computing hardware, and our methodology for drilling and deployment. We also describe the online triggering and data filtering systems that select candidate neutrino and cosmic ray events for analysis. Due to a rigorous pre-deployment protocol, 98.4% of the DOMs in the deep ice are operating and collecting data. IceCube routinely achieves a detector uptime of 99% by emphasizing software stability and monitoring. Detector operations have been stable since construction was completed, and the detector is expected to operate at least until the end of the next decade.Comment: 83 pages, 50 figures; updated with minor changes from journal review and proofin

Development of a Waveform Sampling ASIC with Femtosecond Timing for a Low Occupancy Vertex Detector.

Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

A Scalable Correlator Architecture Based on Modular FPGA Hardware, Reuseable Gateware, and Data Packetization

A new generation of radio telescopes is achieving unprecedented levels of sensitivity and resolution, as well as increased agility and field-of-view, by employing high-performance digital signal processing hardware to phase and correlate large numbers of antennas. The computational demands of these imaging systems scale in proportion to BMN^2, where B is the signal bandwidth, M is the number of independent beams, and N is the number of antennas. The specifications of many new arrays lead to demands in excess of tens of PetaOps per second. To meet this challenge, we have developed a general purpose correlator architecture using standard 10-Gbit Ethernet switches to pass data between flexible hardware modules containing Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chips. These chips are programmed using open-source signal processing libraries we have developed to be flexible, scalable, and chip-independent. This work reduces the time and cost of implementing a wide range of signal processing systems, with correlators foremost among them,and facilitates upgrading to new generations of processing technology. We present several correlator deployments, including a 16-antenna, 200-MHz bandwidth, 4-bit, full Stokes parameter application deployed on the Precision Array for Probing the Epoch of Reionization.Comment: Accepted to Publications of the Astronomy Society of the Pacific. 31 pages. v2: corrected typo, v3: corrected Fig. 1

Development of ASIC for SiPM sensor readout

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-THROUGHPUT NMR RF RECEIVER USING FPGA IP CORES

In NMR research, the signal acquisition instrument needs to fulfill high-speed, and high-throughput data collection. The modern NMR receivers are required to process signals through multiple-channels leveraging Software Defined Radio (SDR) logics. In order to support large amount of data inputs utilizing multiple channels, the device needs to speedily handle stream of input data within device's Onboard memory (RAM) and construct non-overflowing buffer to ensure flawless data transfer from analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). Parallel data handling techniques in FPGA is an essential component for NMR applications, because multiple process engine in FPGA digital logic ensures high processing speed. Direct-Memory-Access (DMA) function implemented in FPGA would greatly improve the data transfer rate. This would allow the NMR receiver to operate the system in real-time. In this research work, we investigate a method to utilize the FPGA's Digital Down Conversion (DDC) logic to control the data flow in a versatile way. Furthermore, we examine methods in acquisition software to thoroughly access implemented FPGA logics utilizing LabVIEW software. Throughout this research, we investigate a software design pattern that would maximize its performance in parallel processing. Software architecture such state-machine, and Actor Framework would be examined to organize the device APIs

Design and test of readout electronics for medical and astrophysics applications

The applied particle physics has a strong R&D tradition aimed at rising the instrumentation performances to achieve relevant results for the scientific community. The know-how achieved in developing particle detectors can be applied to apparently divergent fields like hadrontherapy and cosmic ray detection. A proof of this fact is presented in this doctoral thesis, where the results coming from three different projects are discussed in likewise macro-chapters. A brief introduction (Chapter 1) reports the basic features characterizing a typical particle detector system. This section is developed following the data transmission path: from the sensor, the data moves through the front-end electronics for being readout and collected, ready for the data manipulation. After this general section, the thesis describes the results achieved in two projects developed by the collaboration between the medical physics group of the University of Turin and the Turin section of the Italian Nuclear Institute for Nuclear Physics. Chapter 2 focuses on the TERA09 project. TERA09 is a 64 channels customized chip that has been realized to equip the front-end readout electronics for the new generation of beam monitor chambers for particle therapy applications. In this field, the trend in the accelerators development is moving toward compact solutions providing high-intensity pulsed-beams. However, such a high intensity will saturate the present readout electronics. In order to overcome this critical issue, the TERA09 chip is able to cope with the expected maximum intensity while keeping high resolution by working on a wide conversion-linearity zone which extends from hundreds of pA to hundreds of μA. The chip gain spread is in the order of 1-3% (r.m.s.), with a 200 fC charge resolution. The thesis author took part in the chip design and fully characterized the device. The same group is currently working on behalf of the MoVeIT collaboration for the development of a new silicon strip detector prototype for particle therapy applications. Chapter 3 presents the technical aspects of this project, focusing on the author’s contribution: the front-end electronics design. The sensor adopted for the MoVeIT project is based on 50 μm thin sensors with internal gain, aiming to detect the single beam particle thus counting their number up to 109 cm2/s fluxes, with a pileup probability < 1%. A similar approach would lead to a drastic step forward if compared to the classical and widely used monitoring system based on gas ionization chambers. For what concerns the front-end electronics, the group strategy has been to design two prototypes of custom front-end: one based on a transimpedance preamplifier with a resistive feedback and the other one based on a charge sensitive amplifier. The challenging tasks for the electronics are represented by the charge and dynamic range which are respectively the 3 - 150 fC and the hundreds of MHz instantaneous rate (100 MHz as the milestone, up to 250 MHz ideally). Chapter 4 is a report on the trigger logic development for the Mini-EUSO detector. Mini-EUSO is a telescope designed by the JEM-EUSO Collaboration to map the Earth in the UV range from the vantage point of the International Space Station (ISS), in low Earth orbit. This approach will lay the groundwork for the detection of Extreme Energy Cosmic Rays (EECRs) from space. Due to its 2.5 μs time resolution, Mini-EUSO is capable of detecting a wide range of UV phenomena in the Earth’s atmosphere. In order to maximize the scientific return of the mission, it is necessary to implement a multi-level trigger logic for data selection over different timescales. This logic is key to the success of the mission and thus must be thoroughly tested and carefully integrated into the data processing system prior to the launch. The author took part in the trigger integration in hardware, laboratory trigger tests and also developed the firmware of the trigger ancillary blocks. Chapter 5 closes this doctoral thesis, with a dedicated summary part for each of the three macro-chapters