Design of a Robust Fiber Optic Communications System for Future IceCube Detectors

TL;DR

This paper presents the development of a hybrid fiber and copper data and timing infrastructure for the IceCube-Gen2 detector, aiming to enhance scalability, timing precision, and data throughput for future neutrino observatories.

Contribution

It introduces a new fiber optic infrastructure design using White Rabbit timing and ruggedized fibers, building on previous IceCube experience to improve data transfer robustness and scalability.

Findings

Successful integration of fiber optic and copper systems.

Enhanced timing precision with White Rabbit technology.

Scalable infrastructure for future large-scale detectors.

Abstract

In this work we discuss ongoing development of a hybrid fiber/copper data and timing infrastructure for the future IceCube-Gen2 detector. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a kilometer-scale detector operating with 86 strings of modules. These modules communicate utilizing a custom protocol to mitigate the signaling challenges of long distance copper cables. Moving past the limitations of a copper-based backbone will allow larger future IceCube detectors with extremely precise timing and a large margin of excess throughput to accommodate innovative future modules. To this end, the upcoming IceCube Upgrade offers an opportunity to deploy a pathfinder for the new fiber optic infrastructure, called the Fiber Test System. This design draws on experience from AMANDA and IceCube and incorporates recently matured technologies such as ruggedized fibers and White Rabbit timing to deliver robust and high-performance data and timing transfer.