# Development of Data Acquisition Methods for an FPGA-Based Photon Counting Detector

## TL;DR

This paper presents a compact FPGA-based data acquisition system for a photon-counting detector utilizing MCP and CMOS sensors, enabling real-time photon event detection and processing for UV applications.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel FPGA-based system capable of operating in both frame transfer and photon-counting modes for UV detectors.

## Key findings

- Successful implementation of real-time photon event centroiding.
- Effective algorithms for photon detection and processing.
- Enhanced detector performance in UV applications.

## Abstract

MCP-based detectors are widely used in the ultraviolet (UV) region due to their low noise levels, high sensitivity and good spatial and temporal resolution. We have developed a compact near-UV (NUV) detector for high-altitude balloon and space flights, using off-the-shelf MCP, CMOS sensor, and optics. The detector is designed to be capable of working in the direct frame transfer mode as well in the photon-counting mode for single photon event detection. The identification and centroiding of each photon event are done using an FPGA-based data acquisition and real-time processing system. In this paper, we discuss various algorithms and methods used in both operating modes, as well as their implementation on the hardware.