Readout method based on PCIe over optical fiber for CBM-TOF super module quality evaluation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a PCIe over optical fiber readout method for CBM-TOF super module quality evaluation, enabling high-speed data transmission, multi-module data collection, and simplified architecture for efficient performance.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel PCIe over optical fiber readout approach that enhances data transmission speed and evaluation efficiency for CBM-TOF super modules.

Findings

Achieves high-speed data transmission of about 6 Gbps.

Supports simultaneous data reception from multiple super modules.

Simplifies readout electronics architecture and enables long-distance data transfer.

Abstract

The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment will investigate the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase diagram at high net baryon densities and moderate temperatures. CBM Time of Flight (TOF) system is composed of super modules containing high performance Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPCs). During the mass production, each super module assembled with MRPCs needs quality evaluation, which includes time measurement and data readout. Read out electronics encounter the challenge of reading data from a super module at a speed of about 6 Gbps. In this paper, a read out method based on Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) over optical fiber is proposed for CBM-TOF super module quality evaluation. The digitized data from super module will be concentrated at the front-end electronics, and then be transmitted to a PCIe switch module (PSM) over optical fiber using PCIe protocol. The PSM is directly plugged into the motherboard via gold fingers at the backend data acquisition server. With this readout method, a high-speed transmission rate can be reached. Furthermore, a PSM can receives data from several super modules simultaneously, which is important to improve the evaluation efficiency. This readout method simplifies the architecture of readout electronics and supports long distance transmission between frontend and backend.