Update on the high speed serializer ASIC development for ATLAS Liquid Argon calorimeter upgrade

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development and testing of high-speed serializer ASIC prototypes for the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter upgrade, demonstrating successful initial performance and ongoing improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a new 5 Gbps serializer ASIC and details the design and testing of an upcoming 8 Gbps double-lane serializer for particle detector electronics.

Findings

First prototype meets design goals in lab and beam tests

Post-layout simulation shows 8 Gbps capability

Development of a double-lane serializer is underway

Abstract

We have been developing a serializer application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) based on a commercial 0.25-{\mu}m silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) CMOS technology for the ATLAS liquid argon calorimeter front-end electronics upgrade. The first prototype, a 5 Gbps 16:1 serializer has been designed, fabricated, and tested in lab environment and in a 200 MeV proton beam. The test results indicate that the first prototype meets the design goals. The second prototype, a double-lane, 8 Gbps per lane serializer is under development. The post-layout simulation indicates that 8 Gbps is achievable. In this paper we present the design and the test results of the first prototype and the design and status of the second prototype.