Time-to-Digital Converter Based on FPGA With Multiple Channel Capability

Author

Torres, Juana ; Aguilar, Albert ; Garcia-Olcina, R. ; Martinez, Philip A. ; Martos, J. ; Soret, J. ; Benlloch, J.M. ; Conde, P. ; Gonzalez, A.J. ; Sanchez, F.

Author_Institution

Commun. & Digital Syst. Design Group (DSDC), Univ. de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Volume

61

Issue

1

fYear

2014

fDate

Feb. 2014

Firstpage

107

Lastpage

114

Abstract

This contribution describes an accurate approach implementing a Time-to-Digital Converter using a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. Time differences with a FWHM better than 100 ps for 24 pairs of channels working simultaneously have been achieved. This was possible through the proper management of FPGA internal resources and by an accurate device calibration process minimizing the effect of temperature and voltage fluctuations. The system calibration results and the time differences between multiple channels are presented. The current approach suggests the possibility of carrying out precise Time of Flight (TOF) measurements with, for instance, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) systems.

Keywords

calibration; field programmable gate arrays; positron emission tomography; time-digital conversion; FPGA internal resources; Field-Programmable Gate Array device; PET systems; Positron Emission Tomography; device calibration process; multiple channel capability; time differences; time of flight measurements; time-to-digital converter; Calibration; Clocks; Delay lines; Delays; Field programmable gate arrays; Positron emission tomography; Delay lines; field programmable gate arrays; positron emission tomography; time measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TNS.2013.2283196

Filename

6661408