Front End ASIC design for SiPM readout

A Front End ASIC for the readout of Silicon Photo-Multipliers is presented with the following features: wide dynamic range, high speed, multi channel, low input impedance current preamplifier, low power (7mW per channel), DC coupled input with common mode voltage control and separated timing and charge signal output. A detailed description of the SiPM modeling and parameter extraction is also included allowing the emulation of the signal generated by different commercial devices in the design simulation stage. Current prototype is the first step for a more complex mixed signal design including more channels, analog processing and digital outputs, thus reducing power consumption and increasing integration. This prototype includes basic blocks for 3 channels with: preamplifier with two separate signal paths and fast current discriminator with digital output.

[1]  Dependence of timing resolution on crystal size for TOF PET , 2007, 2007 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record.

[2]  H. Traff,et al.  Novel approach to high speed CMOS current comparators , 1992 .