Portable tracker based on the ATLAS SCT module controlled by USB-based readout interface

A new integrated device for detection and measurement of particles has been constructed. This system is based on the SCT silicon strip detectors developed for the ATLAS experiment at the LHC at CERN. The new read-out interface communicates through the USB2.0 standard and provides control, power and data acquisition for the strip detectors. A field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) allows controlling the front-end module electronics at frequency of 40 MHz so time resolution of 25 ns as in the ATLAS experiment is preserved. The dead time of the system allows processing up to 105 triggers. The assembled system is designed as an integrated compact unit consisting of the detection module and the integrated interface. Both parts are mounted on a copper heat sink which provides basic cooling for the SCT module. Additional cooling elements can be simply attached if needed. The compact unit is powered by an external low voltage source and triggered by external trigger signal. The device operates as a flexible and portable large area position sensitive detector intended for detection and tracking of energetic particles from accelerator-based sources. Response and operation of the assembled device is demonstrated on measurement with relativistic charged particles.