Timepix3: a 65K channel hybrid pixel readout chip with simultaneous ToA/ToT and sparse readout

Abstract

The Timepix3, hybrid pixel detector (HPD) readout chip, a successor to the Timepix [1] chip, can record time-of-arrival (ToA) and time-over-threshold (ToT) simultaneously in each pixel. ToA information is recorded in a 14-bit register at 40 MHz and can be refined by a further 4 bits with a nominal resolution of 1.5625 ns (640 MHz). ToT is recorded in a 10-bit overflow controlled counter at 40 MHz. Pixels can be programmed to record 14 bits of integral ToT and 10 bits of event counting, both at 40 MHz. The chip is designed in 130 nm CMOS and contains 256 × 256 pixel channels (55 × 55 µm 2 ). The chip, which has more than 170 M transistors, has been conceived as a general-purpose readout chip for HPDs used in a wide range of applications. Common requirements of these applications are operation without a trigger signal, and sparse readout where only pixels containing event information are read out.A new architecture has been designed for sparse readout and can achieve a throughput of up to 40 Mhits/s/cm 2 . The flexible architecture offers readout schemes ranging from serial (one link) readout (40 Mbps) to faster parallel (up to 8 links) readout of 5.12 Gbps. In the ToA/ToT operation

65 nm Technology for HEP: Status and Perspective

“…One of the ways to reduce the bandwidth requirement is to use an on-chip compression. Compression schemes has already been demonstrated in other HEP projects, such as FEI4 [5], Timepix3 [6] and CLICpix [7], which will be detailed in the next session. Similar solutions, which might include on-chip clustering and data reduction, can be adapted for the HL-LHC experiments as well.…”

The PADME Detector

“…By placing a silicon pixel detector immediately out of the vacuum vessel, it would be possible to precisely monitor online the beam characteristics. A device, based on the Timepix3 chip [11], can be the perfect solution.…”

Positronium for Antihydrogen Production in the AEGIS Experiment

“…Time resolutions in the nanoseconds range can be achieved. In particular, the Timepix [16], initially developed for medical imaging applications, is able to determine with 25 µm spatial resolution the position of an antiproton annihilation with more than 50% tagging efficiency. Also nuclear emulsions were tested [17].…”