ALDO2, a multi-function rad-hard linear regulator for SiPM-based HEP detectors

TL;DR

ALDO2 is a radiation-hard, multi-function linear regulator designed for SiPM-based detectors in high-energy physics, offering independent channels, protection features, and SiPM bias monitoring, suitable for harsh radiation environments.

Contribution

The paper introduces ALDO2, a novel rad-hard multi-function linear regulator with independent channels and SiPM monitoring, tailored for HEP detector applications.

Findings

Radiation hardness up to 20 Mrad TID

Supports SiPM bias monitoring and fine-tuning

Successfully qualified for HL-LHC detector use

Abstract

ALDO2 is a multi-function, adjustable, low dropout linear regulator designed in onsemi I3T80 0.35~$\mu$m HV CMOS technology for use in HEP detectors that adopt silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The chip features four independent regulators, two low voltage channels (max 3.3 V) used to filter and stabilize the power supply of front-end chips, and two HV channels (max 70 V), specifically designed to provide the bias voltage to arrays of SiPMs. Each regulator can be independently shut down and is protected for over-current and over-temperature. The HV regulators also implement a circuit to monitor the bias current of the SiPM arrays, allowing to perform I-V curves and thus to fine-tune the working point of the SiPM arrays during the detector lifetime. The chip adopts radiation hardening techniques and has been fully qualified up to a TID of 20 Mrad, a 1-MeV-equivalent neutron fluence of $10^{15}$ cm$^{-2}$, and with heavy ions up to 40 MeV cm$^2$ mg$^{-1}$ LET and $10^{10}$ cm$^{-2}$ cumulative fluence. The chip will be installed in two CMS detectors in the HL-LHC phase, the Barrel Timing Detector (BTL) and the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL).