First Readout of a 64 $\times$ 64 DEPFET Matrix With VELA Circuit

The new advancements in low-noise X-Ray detection pave the way to new space missions for deep space investigation like IXO. The concept of APS (Active Pixel Sensor) devices based on DEPFET (Depleted P-channel FET) structure has been developed to cope with the emerging requirements of low noise and high readout speed. Although the use of DEPFET makes achievable the required noise performance, it is necessary to develop a suitable front-end ASIC to fulfill the challenging speed requirements. We have developed VELA, a new fast multi-channel ASIC for the readout of a DEPFET matrix at high frame rate. The implemented circuit operates the DEPFET pixels in a drain current configuration to achieve a readout speed of 2 ¿s per line or even faster. The current version of VELA integrates 64 analog channels to readout a 64 × 64 DEPFET matrix up to 7800 frames per second. In the paper, the circuit and the working principle are presented; the VELA performance and the first measurement with a 64 × 64 DEPFET matrix are also reported.

[1]  M. Trimpl,et al.  Spectroscopic performances of DePMOS detector/amplifier device with respect to different filtering techniques and operating conditions , 2004, IEEE Symposium Conference Record Nuclear Science 2004..

[2]  T. Calin,et al.  Upset hardened memory design for submicron CMOS technology , 1996 .

[3]  G. Garmire.  Review of the Chandra X-ray observatory mission , 2003, 2003 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium. Conference Record (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37515).

[4]  M. Porro,et al.  VELA: the CMOS circuit based on fast current read-out for X-ray Spectroscopy with DePMOS , 2006, IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record.

[5]  Elmar Pfeffermann,et al.  pnCCDs on XMM-Newton: 42 months in orbit , 2003 .

[6]  Carlo Fiorini,et al.  Fast DEPFET current readout for X-ray astronomy missions , 2009 .

[7]  M. Trimpl,et al.  Spectroscopic performance of the DePMOS detector/amplifier device with respect to different filtering techniques and operating conditions , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science.

[8]  C. Fiorini,et al.  Advancements in DEPMOSFET device developments for XEUS , 2006, SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation.

[9]  M. Trimpl,et al.  DEPMOSFET active pixel sensor prototypes for the XEUS wide field imager , 2004, IEEE Symposium Conference Record Nuclear Science 2004..

[10]  Broos,et al.  Mitigating Charge Transfer Inefficiency in the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer. , 2000, The Astrophysical journal.

[11]  Marco Sampietro,et al.  Optimum filters for detector charge measurements in presence of {1}/{f} noise , 1990 .

[12]  Franco Maloberti,et al.  Evolution in the criteria that underlie the design of a monolithic preamplifier system for microstrip detectors , 1990 .

[13]  M. Porro,et al.  ASTEROID: A new 64 channel ASIC for source follower based readout of the MIXS DEPFET arrays on BepiColombo , 2007, 2007 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record.