Embedding linux On FPGA: An application on a real-time neutron/gamma Discrimination system for fusion devices

A new architecture has been developed for the ENEA-Frascati neutron/gamma Digital Pulse Shape Discrimination (DPSD) system. The system (FPGA-based, 200 MSamples/s, 14 bit ADC resolution) has been upgraded to 4 input channels; higher versatility has been obtained through the implementation of a soft processor in the FPGA. The FPGA-embedded processor enables to create software programs written in plain C to control the hardware: simple set-up and modification of hardware parameters and real time data distribution over the standard Ethernet network are now available.