A New Scheme of Redundant Timing Crosschecking for Front-End Systems

In high-energy physics experiments, front-end (FE) digitization modules are usually driven by a common clock. At the front-end electronics and digitization modules of the detector, a precise timing reference must be established in order to make a useful timing measurement. It would be very useful for the front-end digitization system to include a feature of redundant timing crosschecking. The inspiration for the timing crosschecking scheme came from the long-abandoned analog mean-timer schemes. In this scheme, several Front-end modules are connected together through a cable set with taps connected to the digitization modules. Pulses are driven from every FE module alternately without overlapping. The arrival times of pulses sent from FE modules are digitized at the timing crosschecking module. The mean times will change as temperature changes, but the difference between the two FE modules is canceled mathematically. This feature enables the easy achievement of good timing precision without the need for complex hardware.