40 Gbps Readout interface STARE for the AGATA Project

TL;DR

The paper presents the design of the STARE readout interface for AGATA, enabling high-speed data transfer of gamma-ray detection signals at 10 Gbps with reliable delivery, supporting advanced nuclear physics research.

Contribution

It introduces the STARE module, a novel high-speed data packaging and transmission interface tailored for AGATA's demanding gamma-ray detection requirements.

Findings

Achieved 10 Gbps data transmission with delivery assurance.

Efficient data packaging from the CAP module to server farm.

Supports high-resolution, high-rate gamma-ray measurements.

Abstract

The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) multi detector spectrometer will provide precise information for the study of the properties of the exotic nuclear matter (very unbalanced proton (Z) and neutron (N) numbers) along proton- and neutron- drip lines and of super-heavy nuclei. This is done using the latest technology of particle accelerators. The AGATA spectrometer consists of 180 high purity Germanium detectors. Each detector is segmented into 38 segments. The very harsh project requirements are to measure gamma ray energies with very high resolution (< 1x 10 -3) at a high detector counting rate (50 Kevents / sec / crystal). This results in a very high data transfer rate per crystal (5 to 8 Gbps). The 38 segments are sampled @ 100 MHz with 14 bits of resolution. The samples are continuously transferred to the CAP module which reduces the data rate from 64 Gbps to 5 Gbps. The CAP module also adds continuous monitoring data which results in total outgoing data rate of 10 Gbps. The STARE module is designed to fit between the CAP module and the computer farm. It will package the data from the CAP module and transmit it to the server farm using a 10 Gbps UDP connection with a delivery insurance mechanism implemented to ensure that all data is transferred.